Bermuda swimmers set to make a splash

Bermuda’s swimming squad for this year’s CARIFTA Swimming Championships has swelled to 18 after a productive qualifying meet.

Prior to last weekend’s racing, the island had 15 swimmers confirmed with two more chances available for swimmers to clock qualifying times before the March 9 entry deadline for the Championships, which start on March 30 in Jamaica.

All swimmers upped their game accordingly with Sophie Froud the first to hit her mark in the 50 freestyle with a time of 29.28sec, which gave her the second AA standard needed to be selected.

Alex McCallum also hit his second time in the 50 free with a 27.34 to make himself eligible.

Megan Lau was the next swimmer to hit her second selection time with a one-second drop in the 50 breaststroke that saw her hit 40.56 at the wall.

Ben Smith, National Coach and Sharks Head Coach, said the nation’s young swimmers  had already his expectations of having a squad of 12 eligible.

He said: “It was a very good meet and I hope this weekend will be just as good.

“There will be lots of excitement with it being the second in the Best of Best series and the last chance to qualify for CARIFTA.”

Smith said he hoped a “couple more” are able to add themselves to the squad.

Last weekend, Jessie Thomas was able to make her first selection time in the 50 fly which sets her up to have a go at getting her second time at the Best of the Best.

There were also a number of personal bests. In the 200m free, Philip Hagen, Vaughn Rowse and Jesse Washington all swam PBs with Jesse finishing first with a 2:02, a fine effort from the 13-year-old. All three are jockeying for position to be able to represent Bermuda at this summer’s island games in this event.

Emma Harvey continues to improve meet by meet and Smith said her 32.00sec in the 50 fly had “everyone buzzing”.

Saturday’s Best of the Best meet will be held at the Warwick Academy Pool from 8.30am.