On the 5th to the 10th of December 2017, four Black Sands Swim Squad swimmers competed in the Barbados Short Course National Swimming Championships, bringing home a total of 18 medals.
It was a “Perfect 10” for SVG’s future CARIFTA contender Eltonté Leonard, who swam himself to a total of “TEN” gold medals. Leonard dominated the boys 9-10yrs age group in every race, setting personal best times and SVG national records along the way. In the 200 meter freestyle he demolished the competition, finishing first and over 15 seconds ahead of the second place Bajan swimmer. By the end of the competition Leonard had won himself a total of 11 medals (10 gold 1 silver) and has now achieved CARIFTA qualifying times in 50m Butterfly and the 50m and 100m Freestyle.
National records set by Eltonté:
– 50 Free 29.58
– 100 Free 1.06.97
– 50 Back 36.59
– 100 Back 1.23.65
– 100 Breast 1.28.34
– 100 IM 1.16.78
– 200 IM 2.51.07
Leonard’s younger sister Eltonique Leonard showed that she also has great swimming potential. Swimming as a 6yrs old in the 8yrs & under category, Eltonique just missed out on the medal podium but swam personal best times in all of her events.
Competing in her first year of the girls 9-10yrs age group, Jamie Joachim battled her way to a silver medal in the 200m freestyle and a well earned bronze medal in the 400m freestyle, whilst recording a total of five personal best times at the event.
16 year old Aaron DeFreitas gave it his best shot and was able to swim himself to a total of 4 silver and one bronze medal, smashing his 50 and 100 meter personal best times in the process.
Black Sands’ Coach Kyle Dougan commented:
“This was a brilliant performance by all four swimmers, once again representing SVG well and demonstrating to the region the high standard of swimming that SVG is able to produce. Eltonte’ shows great promise of success within swimming for the future and he’s proving he’s on the right path by breaking records previously held by Alex Joachim.“
Dougan went on to congratulate Blue Marlins swimmers Adiah Phillips, Kenice Green and Zariel Nelson for their outstanding performances at the same event.