Video: Swimmers Return Home With 34 Medals
[Updated with video] Bermuda’s swimmers returned to the island this evening [June 28] after a very successful international competition in Aruba which saw them claim 34 medals and a slew of new records.
The ten-strong swimming team competed at the 2012 Caribbean Island Swimming Championships [CISC] in Aruba, with 12-year-old Jesse Washington leading the medal count again with a total of 8 medals – five being gold.
Lisa Blackburn also racked up the medal wins with 4 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze, while Julian Fletcher also found himself on the podium multiple times with 2 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medal wins.
Jesse Washington, Lisa Blackburn and Julian Fletcher all shattered international CISC records in the process of winning their gold medals, etching Bermuda’s name in the Caribbean record books a total of seven times.
Washington set three CISC records, and both Blackburn and Fletcher powered their way to 2 records each.
The entire team performed well, with Stephanie Myles winning 1 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze, Roy Allan Burch winning 1 gold and 1 silver, Shannon Hassell claiming 2 silvers and 2 bronze, Ashley Yearwood picking up 1 silver and 2 bronze, while Rebecca Heyliger won 2 bronze medals. Nicholas Patterson and Philip Hagen rounded out the team with strong performances in their respective swims.
Jesse Washington was extremely dominant throughout the Championships; in addition to his eight medals and three CISC records he finished the meet as the top swimmer — from all nations — in his age group, with his 68 points almost doubling that of his closest competitor.
40-year-old Lisa Blackburn — who holds a world record in her age group — had the second highest point tally in the open womens category, while 19-year-old swimmer Stephanie Myles had the 4th highest point tally and Rebecca Heyliger, also 19, placed 8th in the same division.
Julian Fletcher placed 3rd ranked third in the mens open points, while 12-year-old Shannon Hassell and 17-year-old Ashley Yearwood placed 7th in their respective divisions.
The team was greeted at the airport by Junior Minister of Sports Senator Diallo Rabain.
National Swimming Coach Ben Smith said, “The 34 medal count for the Bermuda team at the Caribbean Island Championships had our competitors complementing our swim program. 10 swimmers produced this result.
“Watching these great Bermuda athletes competing so well for their country is a treat and I hope it will bring some well-deserved recognition to the sport of swimming.”
Congrats to all of our talented swimmers.
Thank you for representing Bermuda in first class style.
You’ve put us on the map once again
Wow! I don’t see any comments here!
We have amazing athletes doing great things in the sports world and… Not one positive remark?
I’m not down playing the tragedy- my thought are with the family.
But why can’t we flood this page like we do with all negativity happening in the island.
Let’s show them that positive results get recognized too!!
So much for being proud to be Bermudian!(I am)
Again well done ! Keep up the incredible work! You’ve made your country proud!
Congratulations to the you men and women. I am proud of you all…I hope your as proud of yourselves and use that energy to take it to the next level.
To the you athletes, keep working hard. Never let the nay sayers discourage you.
Again Congrats!!!
We actually live on a very small Island and , amongst us , in are very midst , are some of the very best atheletes in the region . That says a hellava lot to the depth of talent in Bermuda .
Congrats,
These swimmers produce more then football and cricket has ever seen. Good work kid’s, Lisa. Keep up the good work. Coaches, well done. Bermuda, keep your eyes on Emma Harvey, Ashley Irby, and Ethan Daley to name a few……they are some HOTT up and coming swimmers too!!!
Well done guys – welcome back to all, but especially those who have worked so hard to try to meet the olympic qualifying times.
Washington is Bermudas up and coming next Olympian. Congratulations to the Bermuda Swim team and your coaches.
Maybe now the PLP will donate some money towards these people? After all, Cricket and Football leave us ashamed, but these people have done a great job! More money for them please.