St. Vincent’s Black Sands Swim Squad swimmers had another opportunity to demonstrate their aquatic excellence at the Barbados national Swimming champiohships, which took place from February 24th-28th.
Swimmers Jamie, Alex and Shne Joachm, Mya and Aaron DeFreitas, Cruz Halbich and Shane Cadogan got into medal winning mode and took on Bajan swimmers in record breaking style.
Shne Joachim destroyed the Bajan competition and swam herself into the Barbados record books by breaking the 50 metres Breaststroke record in a time of 35.03 seconds. She demonstrated that she is one of the region’s best female breaststroke swimmers and came home with three gold medals.
Her brother younger, Alex Joachim, followed suit, swimming a total of 10 personal best times, which won him three gold, three silver and two bronze medals. Younger sister Jamie Joachim swam to family tradition and won two bronze medals and produced three personal best times over the four-day competition.
Siblings Mya and Aaron DeFreitas swam themseleves onto the medal podium. Mya brought home one bronze medal accompanied by five personal best times. Aaron swam himself two silver and three bronze medals with three personl best times competiting in the boys 13 to 14 age group.
Aaron also achieved a Carifta qualifying time in the 50m freestyle.
Long distance King, Cruz Halbich beat his personal best time by 27 seconds in the 1500 meter freestyle, winning himself a gold medal accompanied by one silver and two bronze medals.
Shane Cadogan, one of St. Vincent’s leading academic, demonstrated that he doesn’t only excel in the classroom.
Shane Cadogan challenged the Barbadians in 11 events and proudly brought home a total of three gold, five silver and two bronze medals.
The next regional swimming competition will be the CARIFTA games in Martinique at the end of March.