18 Swimmers Have Qualified For CARIFTA 2013
Following their Qualifying Meet on Saturday [Mar 2], the Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association has confirmed that the team has grown to 18 qualified swimmers for this year’s CARIFTA Swimming Championships and with one weekend there is hope that there will be a couple more that reach the mark.
Ben Smith – National Coach and Sharks Head Coach said, “Going into the Qualifying Meet on Saturday BASA already had confirmed 15 swimmers who had qualified for this year’s CARIFTA Swimming Championships 2013. This left two more opportunities to qualify before the entry deadline on March 9th.
“Saturday was the first of those meets and all swimmers that participated swam very fast. Sophie Froud was the first to hit her second time for Carifta with 29.28 which gave her the second AA standard to be selected. Alex McCallum hit his second time also in the 50 free with a 27.34 to make himself eligible.
“Megan Lau was the next swimmer to hit her second selection time with a 1 second drop in the 50 breast that saw her hit 40.56 at the wall. This means that the team has grown to 18 qualified swimmers and with one weekend to go we hope that there will be a couple more that reach the mark.
“During the meet Jessie Thomas was able to make her first selection time in the 50 fly which sets her up to have to get her second time at next weekend’s Best of Best #2 meet. Many of our other swimmers that have already been selected for the team were in great form and posted personal best times.
“Of note the 200 free saw Philip Hagen, Vaughn Rowse and Jesse Washington all swim personal best times with Jesse finishing in first place with a 2:02 which is really good for a 13 year old swimmer.
“All three of these swimmers are jockeying for position to be able to represent Bermuda at this summer’s island games in this event. Emma Harvey continues to improve meet by meet and her 32.00 in the 50 fly had everyone buzzing.
“There will be lots of excitement next weekend with it being the second in the Best of Best series and the last chance to qualify for Carifta. This meet will be held at the Warwick Academy Pool beginning at 8.30am.”
