Immaculate Conception Preparatory school dethroned last year’s champion Stella Maris Prep and swam away with the 13th staging of the Burger King Prep and Primary Schools Swim Meet trophy at the National Aquatic Centre last Friday.

Immaculate Prep splashed up 327 points, to stave off the challenges of Stella Maris, who finished on 312.5 points, with Saints Peter and Paul Prep grabbing third place with a creditable 270.5 points.

Eleven-year-old Cameron Brown of Creative Kids Learning Centre announced his intention for a call to represent Jamaica at the next Carifta Swimming championship when he took gold in five events. Brown won the 200 metres individual medley, the 50 metres butterfly, the 50 metres backstroke and breast-stroke and topped the evening off with a good finish in the 100 metres freestyle.

Meanwhile, Excelsior Primary School secured their 10th hold on the primary section of the meet, as the Mountain View-based school coached by Peter-John Murdoch finished with 241 points. Excelsior girls contributed the bulk of the points, 216 in total, led by Akhira Brown, also of Marlins Swim Club, who won three events and grabbed the silver in the 50 metres backstroke. She won the 200 metres individual medley in 2 minutes 57.00 seconds.

General Secretary of the YMCA, Sarah Newland-Martin, placed the meet in perspective when she said, “with over 700 swimmers from 36 schools under 12 years performing at their very best at this year’s staging, it shows that very soon we might be forced to look at two days for the event. The performances were exceptional and this forms part of our child-month celebration at the YMCA, and again I say a big thanks to our sponsors Burger King for making the 2013 staging a huge success.”

In the meantime, brand manager for sponsorship at Burger King, Nicholas Mundell, explained. “We are extremely pleased with what we saw at the meet. I am very satisfied with the turnout and the standard of the competition among the swimmers, and Burger King remains committed to continue providing the platform and the avenue of opportunity for young people in Jamaica through sports and education.”

Nicholas Mundell (right), Brand Manager for sponsorship at Burger King, presents the Burger King YMCA Preparatory & Primary Swim Championship trophy to members of the Immaculate Conception Prep School following their victory at the National Aquatic Centre last Friday.

(PHOTOS: COLLIN REID)

Members of the Excelsior Primary School swim team celebrate after receiving the Burger King YMCA Preparatory & Primary Swim Championship trophy from Nicholas Mundell (right), brand manager for sponsorship at Burger King, following their victory at the National Aquatic Centre last Friday.