Bermuda Swimmers Get BOA Elite Promotions
Bermudian swimmer Julian Fletcher has been promoted in the Bermuda Olympic Association [BOA] elite athlete program, while Jesse Washington has joined the elite athlete program.
National Swim Coach Ben Smith said, “As we start our 2015/ 2016 season we are excited to be able to announce that Julian Fletcher has been promoted from level B to level A in the BOA elite athlete program and Jesse Washington has now joined the elite athlete program as a C level athlete.
“Julian has been promoted after his strong performances last season and his continued hard work towards Rio 2016 qualification. Julian swam 1:04.48 at last year’s Commonwealth Games which met the B time for Pan Am games selection.
“While in Doha at the short course World Championships Julian set new National records in the 50, 100 and 200 meter breaststroke. Earlier this year at the Arena Pro series meet in Mesa he swam 2:20.43 in the 200 breast which is a National record by 2 seconds and the B standard for Pan American Games.
“In the finals of that same meet he swam 2:18.77 which lowered the National record and gave him the ‘A’ standard for Pan American Games. Julian was named the flag bearer for Bermuda at the Pan American Games in Toronto this summer which was a proud moment for him and all of swimming. He is grateful for this added support and is training hard to reach his Rio qualification.
“Jesse has been well known for a long time in Bermuda for his strong swimming results. Since Jesse was 11 years old he has been re-writing the age group Bermuda records every chance he gets. He has won numerous Carifta, CISC and CCCAN medals over the years and been able to participate at Youth Olympic Games.
“This summer he had a huge highlight by taking his first National record while winning the first gold medal for Bermuda at the Canadian Age Group Championships. As he transitions to the senior ranks this opportunity to become an elite athlete is a first step in supporting his continued development towards the world stage.
“We are very proud of these two athletes and their accomplishments and look forward to great results in the upcoming season.”
Great news for these two men .