Tidal Wave Aquatics topped the team standings at the National Open Short Course Championships following four days of keen competition and record breaking performances at the National Open Short Course Championships at the National Aquatic Centre.
The Macoya based club was lead by Kael Yorke and Jahmia Harley who won the 11 & over male and female categories respectively. Yorke ended with a meet record in 200m butterfly while Harley did same in the 200m backstroke. Harley narrowly missed the 13-14 national record in her swim with 44 hundredths of a second separating her from removing a 23 year old record.
The Honourable Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Mr. Darryl Smith was on hand to present the team with the Challenge Trophy. Tidal Wave Aquatics won with 279 points, ahead Atlantis Aquatics of San Fernando (208), and Areios Aquatechs (172) who are based in Port of Spain.
Kristin Julien of Areios Aquatechs broke the open records in the 50 and 100m backstroke female. The 100m backstroke record was owned for 23 years by Sangeeta Puri. Julien emerged second overall in the age group earning 2 gold and 3 silver.
Graham Chatoor of Marlins not only established a new open 800m freestyle record, but won gold in the 200, 400, 800 and 1500 free establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in middle to long distance races. In similar fashion, his sister Jada, not only set a new meet mark in the 400IM, but she too demonstrated prowess in the longer races winning the 200, 400 and 800 free, and the 400IM. Jada and Graham emerged second and third in their respective age groups.
Jeron Thompson of Atlantis, broke the 50m breaststroke 15-17 record three times in as many swims. He won the second place overall award and left the championship with 4 gold, 2 silver and one bronze. Amira Pilgrim of UTT only preferred medals of the gold hue winning five over the four days, establishing a meet record in the 100 free, and a 15-17 national record in the 50 fly.
Zarek Wilson of Blue Dolphins Swim Club demonstrated his intention to be one of the best in T & T history by setting national records in the 50 free, 100 free and 200 IM. He ended with an impressive total of 9 gold and 1 silver, winning the overall trophy for 10 & under males with 88 points. Marlins swimmer Nikoli Blackman was the only 10 & under to get the better of Wilson during the meet and he did so in classic fashion smashing the 200m freestyle record to win gold.
The next meet on the calendar is the Atlantic Primary School Meet on November 27 at the Point Fortin Community Pool, while the ASATT December Invitational takes place at the National Aquatic Centre from December 15 – 18.
National Open Short Course Championships 2016
11/10/2016 to 11/13/2016
Team Rankings
1 Tidal Wave Aquatics of T & T 279
2 Atlantis Aquatics Swim Club 208
3 Areios Aquatechs 172
4 Blue Dolphin Swim Club 164.50
5 Marlins Swim Club 163
6 Flying Fish Swim Club 120
7 UTT 118
8 YMCA Tobago 72.50
9 Sea Hawks S.C. 37
10 Point Fortin Aqua Darts 28
11 Tsunami 15
12 Torpedoes Swim Club 8
10 & Under Women – Individual Scores
1 Anthony, Zoe Marlins Swim Club 75
2 Caseman, Neishelah Tidal Wave Aquatics of T & T 71
3 Vickles, Gabrielle Tidal Wave Aquatics of T & T 67
10 & Under Men – Individual Scores
1 Wilson, Zarek Blue Dolphin Swim Club 88
2 Blackman, Nikoli Marlins Swim Club 72
3 ST Hillaire, Sheni Point Fortin Aqua Darts 48
11 & Over Women – Individual Scores
1 Harley, Jahmia Tidal Wave Aquatics of T & T 64
2 Chatoor, Jada Marlins Swim Club 57
2 Julien, Kristin Areios Aquatechs 57
11 & Over Men – Individual Scores
1 Yorke, Kael Tidal Wave Aquatics of T & T 64
2 Thompson, Jeron Atlantis Aquatics Swim Club 56
3 Chatoor, Graham Marlins Swim Club 55
25 & Over Men – Individual Scores – Masters Division
1 Washington, Nicholas Unattached 54
Swim news courtesy of ASATT.