Fifty-three swimmers from Black Sands Swim Squad (BSSS) competed in the SVG Gallagher Invitational National Swimming Championships held from the 22nd to 25th February 2024. They were accompanied by two other teams from SVG, Blue Marlins and the newly formed H2O Lions. Also attending the competition were 9 swimmers from Barbados’s club Sea Eagles.
BSSS won a total of 159 medals during the competition (45 Gold, 55 Silver and 59 Bronze).
Two National records were broken by BSSS swimmers at the meet. In the boys 15 & over age group, Kenale Alleyne broke the 50m freestyle record in a time of 23.58 seconds. In the girls 15 & over age group, Kevern DaSilva broke the 200m backstroke record in a time of 2:37.25.
Ira Hadley dominated the girls 8 years and under age group category by winning herself the trophy for overall age group champion and also the trophy for the Sprint Challenge. Kennice Greene showed dominance in the girls 15 years and over age category, also winning both the Overall Champion and the Sprint Challenge. Record breaker Kenale Alleyne secured the sprint challenge trophy for his age group and Boys 15 years and over swimmers Matthew Ballah and Eltonte’ Leonard ended the competition, becoming joint winners of the Overall Champion trophy, tying for the top spot.
SVG’s up and coming Para swimmers Anniah John and Kentreal Kydd also competed and made considerable improvements to their times.
BSSS Head Coach Kyle Dougan said “It was a great way to start the first of many competitions for 2024. Congratulations to ALL BSSS swimmers that took part, especially our new younger swimmers, of which some were competing for the very first time. Congratulations to Blue Marlins Swim Club for winning the top performing club showing the strength and depth of their team. I continue to be very proud of all BSSS swimmers and the efforts of the coaching staff and we look forward to another great year of competition.”