Press Release courtesy of Shayne Fairman
Jamaica’s age group standout Zaneta Alvaranga continued to put on a strong display at the Central American and Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation Swimming Championships (CCCAN). CCCAN which was held 28th June, 2017 through to 2nd July, 2017 was the 30th staging of the biannual event which showcases the highest level of regional talents.
On day 2 of the championships Alvaranga had to settle for bronze in the 100m Butterfly with a personal best of 1:06.29 joining Sabrina Lyn 1:05.69 in the same race as the first 11 – 12 Jamaican female to break the 1:07.00 barrier. Lyn was first in 1:05.69 for the CCCAN record, Elan Daley of Bermuda second in 1:06.12 and Alvaranga third in her 1:06.29.
On day 3 Alvaranga easily collecting a win in the girls 11 – 12 50m Butterfly in a time of 28.74. Alvaranga took the loaded field to school from her elite like start through to no breathing in the red zone. Alvaranga is the only 11 – 12 girl in the English speaking Caribbean to break the 29 seconds barrier including doing it the second time this year and is now the fastest ever. Alvaranga mined the gold in 28.74 followed by Daley 29.49 for silver and Payton Zelkin 30.11 for the bronze.
Alvaranga with the win completed the regional double as she also was crowed the CARIFTA champion in April and now CCCAN both is record times. With her prolific starts, she shot off a .67 reaction time and surfacing some 14m in 6.69 seconds ahead of the field. It took Alvaranga 24 strokes and 4 breaths to complete the course in record time.
So significant was Alvaranga’s swim that at 12 years of age she is faster than the present Jamaican 13 – 14 and the 15 – 17 national age group records in 50m Butterfly. Alvaranga’s coach believes she could have gone faster but is very ecstatic about her continuous improvements and new personal best swims. Alvaranga turns 13 in December and has time on her side to break more 11 -12 time barriers.
On day 4 Alvaranga again as in previous day took on the Bermudan pare in head to head battle for the 100m title. Seeded fifth in the finals, Alvaranga at the turn, turned second in what was a perfectly paced race and challenged Daley in the last 15m of the race but only managed the silver. Her time however was another piece of history this time becoming the fastest Jamaican 11 – 12 female in the event setting a new national age group record. Gold went to Daley 59.65 Alvaranga for the silver in 1:00.24 and Zelkin bronze in 1:00.56.
On day 5 the strength of the Jamaica 11- 12 girls advanced from the preliminary round with her third sub 28 seconds (27.92) clocking of the year. In the finals she again proved herself as the best started regionally with a fast reaction and strong underwater swim for her 4th sub 28 seconds battling the Bermudian duo to mine silver in the medal ceremony. Daley mined gold in 26.82, Alvaranga silver in 27.78 and Zelkin bronze in 28.01.
The Bermudian duo who trains in Canada (Daley) and Colorado (Zelkin) gives credit to the Jamaican trained Alvaranga for pushing them to the limits race after race. One can only look to good health and continuous improvement for Alvaranga and cheer her on for the glory she has brought to Jamaica at such a tender age.
