Bermuda Swim Coaches Pick Season’s Top 10
The Bermuda Amateur Swimming Associaiton had another successful season in the pool both locally and overseas. Although BASA is proud of all of its swimmers and their performances, there are certain swims which stand out.
So Bermuda’s National coaches have selected what they consider to be the top 10 swims of the season.
“Please join us in congratulating these swimmers in their outstanding performances,” said a BASA spokesman.
10) Emma Harvey, Harbor Swim club- she might be the youngest swimmer on the list but she accomplished some big performances for the season. The highlight of the season being her 5 age group records while attending the North Baltimore Aquatics Summer splash in July.
9) Mitchell Gariepy, Sharks Swim Club – Mitch was very excited to be competing in his first Carifta Games in Barbados. He was able to make it to two finals in the breaststroke events and set a new age group record in the 400 IM.
8) Shannon Hassell, Harbour Swim Club – what made the performance from Shannon extra special was the way that she performed under the new pressure. In the 100 backstroke she dropped 15 seconds and place 5th in the finals.
7) Jesse Washington, Sharks Swim Club – This was Jesse’s first experience at Carifta and he made the very best of it. He came into the event with ‘A’ time standards and by the end he had several AAAA times and had qualified for the Central American and Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation [CCCAN] while finishing 4th place in the 100 free.
6) Nic Patterson, Sharks Swim Club – While competing in the most competitive age group at CCCAN Nic was able to hit the qualifying time for Youth Worlds and Youth Commonwealth Games in the 50 Butterfly. He also set and a new age group and National record in the 200 Butterfly at Carifta Games.
5) Ashley Yearwood, Harbor Swim Club – Ashley had a very productive year in being part of her team at Baylor and what she accomplished when representing the National team. She won a bronze medal at Carifta Games in the 50 free and then the silver medal in the 50 fly at CCCAN. Her fast swims also qualified her to participate in the Youth World Championships held in Peru.
4) Julian Fletcher, Sharks Swim Club – Julian was the 3rd highest FINA points swimmer for Bermuda which gave him the opportunity to compete at World Championships in Shanghai. When in Shanghai he swam personal best times in the 100 breast and the 50 breast. In the 50 breast he set the new National record.
3) Lisa Blackburn, Sharks Swim Club – Lisa had a breakout meet when she attended CCCAN in Mayaguez Puerto Rico. She was able to set New National records in the 50, 100 and 200 breast and also in the 200 IM. With her fast swims she was able to bring home 2 gold and 1 silver medal from this prestigious competition.
2) Kiera Aitken, Dolphins Swim Club – Kiera continues to be the standard for swimming in Bermuda. She set several National records while in Spain and set an All-Comers record at Bermuda Nationals. She made the qualifying time for World Championships, Shanghai in the 50 and 100 back. She made the qualifying time for the London Olympics but the time standard has since been changed which means she has to drop a little more time.
1) Roy-Allan Burch [pictured], Sharks Swim club – Roy moved to Charlotte North Carolina in January 2011 with one goal in mind. Make the Olympic qualifying time. He was able to make it to the final of several US grand Prix events through the season. He set new National records in the 100 and the 50 freestyle while at Bermuda Nationals. He then repeated that feat at World Championships Shanghai. His new National record in the 50 free was the first time a Bermudian had been under 23 seconds in the 50 free and gave him the selection time for the London 2012 Olympics.
