Photos & Video: Howard Swim Team In Bermuda

January 3, 2024 | 1 Comment

Nicholas Askew, the head swimming and diving coach at Howard University, believes Bermuda is the perfect destination for their weeklong winter training camp.

The men’s and women’s teams – which include Bermudian Myeisha Sharrieff – and their coaches and support staff arrived on the island on Friday and are sharpening their techniques at the National Sports Centre’s aquatics and fitness facility.

The prestigious Washington D.C. university previously visited the island for a winter training camp around the same time five years ago.

“Why not Bermuda – it’s beautiful here,” Askew told Bernews. “I know it’s winter here, but winter in Bermuda is a lot better than winter in Washington D.C., that’s for sure!

“The island’s amazing people drew us back here for winter training. They brought us in like we’re family.

“We feel like we can be our authentic selves when we’re here, which is extremely important to us, especially as people of colour.

“It’s great to be in an environment where we don’t feel at risk or threatened.”

Askew, an alumnus of Howard and a former swimmer at the university, said the men’s and women’s teams hope to build on last year’s success.

The men’s team, which won their first conference championship last year, will look to retain their crown at the Northeast Conference Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio, next month.

“We’ve had a trajectory over the past couple of years that we’re happy with,” Askew said. “We’re starting to see the fruits of our labour.

“Both programmes had winning records last year. Our women’s team finished fifth in their conference; they were pre-seeded to finish seventh at best.

“Our men’s team was pre-seeded to finish runners-up but completely dominated the championship and took home the title.”