Black Sands Swim Squad (BSSS) swimmers attended the Time Trials event hosted by the SVG Swimming Federation over two weekends which started on Thursday 24th June and finished on Monday 5th July 2021. A total of eight National records were broken and 124 personal best times were achieved.
Claiming the most National records was OECS age group champion Eltonique Leonard. Competing in the girls 9-10 age group, Eltonique broke the 50 meter Breaststroke record in a time of 40.34 and then went on to break the 100 meter Breaststroke record in a time of 1:29.21. She then went on to smash the 100 meter Individual Medley record in a time of 1:17.97.
Matthew Ballah swam himself into the record books becoming the new name on the block, breaking the 100 meter Freestyle record in a time of 58.68 and the 50 meter Backstroke record which was previously held by Carifta gold medalist Alex Joachim in a time of 30.95. Matthew finished the event having swam times that now rank him in the top five percent of American swimmers in his age group.
Kione Deshong broke his own record by six seconds in the 100 meter Breaststroke in a time of 1:44.23.
Another newcomer to the record books in the boys 9-10 age group was Tyler Robinson swimming the 50 meter Butterfly in a time of 30.03.
In the girls 13-14 age group, Kevern DaSilva got herself back into the record books in the 100 meter Backstroke swimming a time of 1:09.68.
BSSS Head Coach Kyle Dougan is delighted with the participation and results from the time trials. After the disruption of COVID-19 and the recent volcanic eruption, the efforts and continued enthusiasm of all swimmers and parents who continue to encourage participation in the sport is fantastic for the future of swimming in St Vincent and the Grenadines. It is amazing that records continue to be broken and long may it continue.