Ben Smith Backs Swimmers For Medal Haul
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Ben Smith, the national swimming coach, is confident the island’s swimmers can achieve a medal haul at the Carifta Swimming Age Group Championships in the Bahamas.
The 15-strong team – Rory Shepherd, Scarlett Spurling, Dominic Wright, Noah Maranzana, Katherine Wheddon, Conor Hupman, Brandon Adkins, Adriana Argent, Thomas Cechini, Elijah Daley, Bella Howes, Marleigh Howes, Rhys Insley, Madelyn Moore and Logan Watson-Brown – leave the island tomorrow [March 27].
The event will take place at the Betty Kelly-Kenning Aquatic Centre in Nassau from March 30 to April 2.
Smith, who will accompany the team, said preparations could not have gone any better, with several swimmers impressing at the recent Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association Short Course Championships.
Adkins set new national records in the 100 and 200 metres freestyle [50.95sec and 1:50.30] in the 17-18 age group, while Cechini also broke three national records in the 800 freestyle [8:37.35], 200 butterfly [2:10.94] and 200 freestyle [1:53.68] in the 15-16 age group.
“We have several swimmers seeded well, with the likes of Elijah Daley displaying a high level of performance and Brandon Adkins breaking two of Jesse Washington’s records, which has put him in a good space,” Smith told Bernews.
“We have a number of athletes who will look to reach finals, and we’ll see how we do when we get there.
“The team’s excited about this opportunity, and we’re all interested to see the upgrades to the Bahamas pool – a new million-dollar facility.”
Among the squad are three newcomers, Shepherd, Spurling and Wright, in the 11-12 age group, and experienced pair Moore and Watson-Brown, who will compete in the new over-18 category.
Moore is aiming for qualification in the 50 and 100 freestyle for the Olympic Games in Paris this summer; meanwhile, Watson-Brown is returning to the international scene for the first time in two years following shoulder surgery.
“We’re excited to have Maddie and Logan travelling with us,” added Smith, whose team won eight medals at the championships in Curaçao last year.
“It will benefit our youngsters to see how our elite athletes prepare and compete.”
