Patterson & Yearwood To Compete In Peru
With the conclusion of the World Championships in Shanghai, the international swimming focus now shifts to the Junior World Championships being held in Lima, Peru next week where Bermuda will be represented by Ashley Yearwood [pictured] and Nicholas Patterson.
Richard Goodwin, the National Coach, said, “This junior version is limited to girls between 15 and 17 years, and boys between 16 and 18 years at the time of the competition.”
“Over 600 swimmers from 64 countries will be competing at these championships, ensuring that the level of competition will be intense.”
“It is highly likely that the swimmers who will be competing here will also be the names to watch for in the future at the senior swimming competition venues.”
The championships will be contested over 6 days of competition, starting on Tuesday, August 16th, and will feature the standard format of heats in the morning, followed by semi-finals and finals in the evening.
Mr Goodwin continued, “Ashley Yearwood will be representing Bermuda at these championships, having also attended the last one held in Monterrey. She will see some very familiar faces at the meet, as she will be lining up with her school chums from the Baylor School in Tennessee, only this time they will each be representing their countries.”
“These are: Bria Deveaux from the Bahamas, Kimberlee John-Williams from Trinidad and Tobago and Kristen Vredeveld from the United States. This same quartet set a 15 and 16 national age group freestyle relay record in U.S. high school competition last season. To complete the circle, the US National Junior Coach will be Dan Flack, who is also the Baylor School head coach.”
“Ashley will be competing in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle, the 50 and 100 butterfly and the 50 and 100 backstroke events. She recently competed at the CCCAN championships in Puerto Rico last month, coming away with a silver medal and a new age group record in the 50 butterfly.”
“Also competing for Bermuda will be Nicholas Patterson, who is coming off an intense training cycle in Canada. This training regimen was funded through Nicholas being the swimming recipient of the National Junior Athlete Sponsorship Program.”
“Prior to leaving for the CCCAN competition in Puerto Rico, Nicholas received a telephone call from the #1 swimmer in the world, wishing him good luck at that meet; with the hope that it would lead to qualification for these championships.”
“With those good wishes ringing in his ears, Nicholas naturally made sure that happened. He also competed at the Canadian Age Group Championships held at the end of last month in Montreal. ”
“At these championships, Nicholas will be competing in the 50, 100, 200 and 400 freestyle and the 50, 100 and 200 butterfly events.”
In closing Goodwin stated, “Both swimmers are in their final days of preparation for this meet, which will mark the climax of their swimming season. They are looking forward to the meet with confidence and heightened expectations.”
Good luck Nic and Ashley. We are very proud of your accomplishments, and your dedication to the sport of swimming.