ST.LUCIA PLACES SECOND AT OECS SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN GRENADA
A highly motivated and enthusiastic St Lucia National Swim Team returned from the very successful SAGICOR sponsored OECS Swimming Championships held in Grenada over the weekend November 6th to 8th 2009 at the Good Hope Pool, St. Paul's, St. George's without the Championship Trophy as hoped, but with a well earned second place.
The Grenadians, who enjoyed the home advantage, fielded a powerful team especially in the female division and placed first with 1780.5 points, followed by St Lucia with 1586 points, third Antigua with 661 points and finally St Vincent with 6 points
The well organized meet, had SAGICOR sponsoring it for the 19th year in a row and the Grenadians spared no effort in insuring all their guest teams enjoyed excellent hospitality, service and efficient organization.
Leading the St Lucian challenge were the age group winners including Thalia Bergasse who won the Age group trophy in the girls 9-10 with 81 points garnering 5 gold and 4 silver medals: Jason Beaubrun who won the Boys 11-12 Age Group with 88 points and winning 9 Gold and 1 Silver, Runako Daniel in the 13-14 age group with 94 points and 9 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze, Siona Huxley in the 15-17 age group with 97 points and 10 gold and 1 silver Julien Brice who won the Age Group trophy in the Boys 15-17 with 93 points with 9 gold and 2 bronze medals;
The list of Age Group winners were
8 & Under Boys Marco Bagnasco Grenada 52 points
9-10 Boys Adrian Andall, Grenada 57 points
11-12 Boys Jason Beaubrun, St Lucia 88 points
13-14 Boys Joshua Runako Daniel, St Lucia 94 points
15-17 Boys Julien Brice, St Lucia 93 points
18 & Over Esau Simpson, Grenada 79 points
8 & Under Girls Katie Lillie Grenada 50 points
9-10 Girls Gabrielle Paparo, Grenada 70 points
11-12 Girls Thalia Bergasse, St Lucia 81 points
13-14 Girls Ayesha Noel, Grenada 99 points
15-17 Girls Siona Huxley, St Lucia 97 points
18 & Over Girls Julia Bisschops, Grenada 99 points
Other medal winners for the St Lucians were Jean Luc Augier (4 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 bronze); Jordan Augier (2 Gold and 9 silver); Raina Bergasse (3 silver, 5 Bronze); Laura bruce (1 Gold, 1 silver 4 bronze); Jyasi Daniel (1 Gold, 2 Bronze); Evelyn Day (3 Bronze); Etan Dyke Elliot (1 Bronze) Mark Emanus (1 Gold, 2 Silver); Vanessa Eugene (2 Silver , 8 Bronze), Sarah Georgeos (1 Gold 3 Bronze); Jon L Innocent Dolor (2 Gold,6 Silver , 3 Bronze), Solange Lenihan (2 bronze); Sarah Mayers (2 Bronze); Jamie Peterkin (3 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze)
St Lucia tied with Grenada with 63 Gold medals each but fell behind in the Silver (39 to 84) and in the Bronze (40 to 59)
The St Lucian clearly were the weakest in the boys and girls 8 and under and 9-10 years, falling behind the Grenadians and unable to make up the points in the older age groups.
The team would also have to review the disproportionate number of St Lucian swimmers disqualified in the overall meet, 8 DQ for St Lucia, 5 DQ for Antigua, 3 for St Vincent and 2 for Grenada