ST.LUCIA PREPARES FOR CARIFTA GAMES SWIMMING
The athletes of the St. Lucia Swim Team completed their final group training session on Saturday, 22nd March, at the Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre, prior to flying to Aruba to compete in the up-coming XXIII 2008 CARIFTA Swimming Championships. Under the watchful eye of Coach Jamie Peterkin, the team refined their starts and turns during Saturday's session.
The team is as follows:
11-12 Boys: Joshua Runako DANIEL is a student of St.Mary's College and a member of RHAC Swim Club. Born 30th April 1995, Runako plays tennis, football, and enjoys track events too. His swim heroes are Michael Phelps and Ian Crocker, and his goals are to be an Olympic medalist, and to hold 6 National records and T16 times by the end of his time in the 11-12 age group. This will be Runako's second CARIFTA Games, and he will compete in 5 events. His best medal hopes are in the 50m Butterfly and 50m Freestyle event, where he is ranked 5th and 6th respectively. Runako was awarded SLASA's prestigious "Rising Star" Award for 2007.
13-14 Girls: SLASA Junior Female Swimmer of the Year 2007, Siona HUXLEY is also St. Lucia's Junior Sportswoman of the Year 2007. She is a member of the RHAC Swim Club and a student of Bright Horizon Prep School. Siona is passionate about swimming, and lists her greatest achievements as winning 3 medals at the Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships in 2006, and participating in the FINA World Championships in Melbourne in 2007. Although still swimming in the 13-14 age group, Siona already holds several St. Lucia National Records, in backstroke and freestyle. Siona Huxley will compete in six events in Aruba, and aims to medal in her favourite backstroke events. She is ranked 2nd in 50m and 100m Back.
13-14 Boys: RHAC swimmer, Jordan AUGIER is a student of Leon Hess Comprehensive School, born on 14th November 1994. Jordan's proudest moment in swimming was during OECS 2005, when he set several age group records. Jordan also enjoys playing cricket and football, and listens to a wide range of music, including rock, hip-hop, soca and R&B. Jordan was recognized by SLASA as Most Outstanding Swimmer in 11-12 Age Group for 2007. He will compete in six events in Aruba.
Also swimming in 13 - 14 Boys, Jon-L INNOCENT-DOLOR of RHAC Swim Club was born on Christmas Eve 1993. This St. Mary's College student enjoys tennis, track and soccer, and his goal is always to improve his times at each event. Jon-L's swim hero is Brandon Hanson, and he lists his greatest achievement as winning a gold medal while breaking the 200m breaststroke age group record. This is the first time Innocent-Dolor has been selected for the CARIFTA team, he will compete in seven events in Aruba, and aims to make finals in 50m and 100m breaststroke.
15-17 Girls: Danielle Beaubrun of Sea Jays Swim Club is a CARIFTA veteran, who has been recognized over many years as St. Lucia's Junior and Senior Swimmer of the Year. Born 6 May 1990, this will be Danielle's final CARIFTA Meet. Danielle is a student at the Bolles School in Fort Lauderdale. She was the sole St. Lucian swimmer to qualify for the 2007 Pan Am Games, and has also represented St. Lucia at CISC, CCCAN, CAC, the Commonwealth Games and FINA World Championships. Danielle will join the team in Aruba, where she will compete in six events. Danielle is ranked 2nd in 50m and 100m Breast, and 3rd in 200m Breast, so plans to bring home some medals.
Also competing in the 15 - 17 Girls, Sarah GEORGEOS was born 31 August 1992. She is student at the International School and a member of RHAC Swim Club. She enjoys playing basketball, eating Arabic food, and listening to a wide range of music styles, including Arabic, Reggae, Soca and Dancehall. Sarah's swim hero is her talented sister, former Olympian Natasha Georgeos. Sarah is proud of having previously medaled at the CARIFTA Swimming Championships. Sarah is looking forward to an exciting meet in Aruba, where she will compete in six events. Sarah is well placed to make finals in her breaststroke events, and could medal too.
15-17 Boys: Julien BRICE was named SLASA's Junior Male Swimmer of the Year 2007. He is a student of St. Mary's College, and a member of the RHAC Swim Club. Born on 1st October 1992, Julien's greatest achievement in swimming so far was to make the finals of the 50m Free in CCCAN, giving him the Age Group Record in this event. A holder of several age group records, his goal is to improve every time he swims. Julien plays basketball and tennis as well as swimming and his swim hero is Cullen Jones. Julien will compete in seven events in Aruba, and although swimming against tough competition, he looks good to at least make finals in 50m and 100m Freestyle.
The XXIII 2008 CARIFTA Swimming Championships runs from Thursday 27th March to Sunday 30th March, and the team returns to St. Lucia on Monday 31st March.