Jahmia Harley of Tidal Wave Aquatics established a new 13-14 female national record in the 50m butterfly on Day three (Saturday night) of the National Open Long Course Championships at the National Aquatic Centre in Balmain Couva. The multiple Carifta gold medallist won silver in the open event in a time of 29.01 seconds.
20 year old Kristin Julien of Areios Aquatechs emerged the victor in the 50 fly in 28.92 seconds, with Johnnya Ferdinand of Sea Hawks sharing silver medal honours with Harley. Two time Olympian Sharntelle Mc Lean of Torpedoes Swim Club was 4th. Julien picked up another gold medal in the 100m backstroke (1:08.72) again ahead of Harley (1:09.45).
In the 50 fly, Harley eclipsed the record set by T & T’s Gabriela Donahue at the CARIFTA Swimming Championships in Bahamas. Both athletes are now the two fastest in the age group in the event and are expected to be top contenders at the CCCAN Championships which is scheduled for Trinidad and Tobago from 28th June to July 2nd.
Jada Chatoor of Marlins Swim Club also demonstrated her CCCAN readiness with a double gold on Saturday night in the 400m individual medley (5:26.29) and the 200m freestyle (2:12.17). Her sibling Graham had similar success with a double gold in the male equivalent of the same events. He won the 400 IM in 5:09.04 and the 200m free in 2:00.04.
Tidal Wave Aquatics Joy Blackett for the second consecutive session amassed a trio of golds in the 10 and under female 100m freestyle (1:12.08), 100m fly (1:22.74) and the 50 breaststroke (42.73). Zachary Anthony picked up a couple of gold medals in the 10 and under male in the 100 freestyle (1:11.27) and the 100 butterfly (1:18.27). Christian Awah (Blue Dolphins), Daniel Newallo (T & T Aquatics), Justin Samlalsingh (Areios), Shinelle Padmore (T & T Aquatics), Anton Gopaulsingh (T & T Aquatics), Johnnya Ferdinand (Sea Hawks), Abraham Mc Leod (Atlantis), Daniel Cozier (T & T Aquatics), Mark Alexis (Tsunami) and Dylan Daniel (Atlantis) were the other individual gold medallists on the night.
The meet concludes on Sunday with finals at 5:30pm. The National Open Long Course Championships is the final qualifier for Team T & T for the CCCAN Championships which is scheduled for Trinidad and Tobago from 28th June to July 2nd.
Swimming news courtesy of SWIMTT.
