Jamaica swimmers on form at Florida meet
JAMAICA’S swimmers have started to reap success at the Sharks and Piranhas Senior Long Course meet at the Nova Southeastern Pool in Davie, Florida.
The Jamaican male swimmers dominated Friday’s 50 free event, with seven of them finishing in the top 10.
Florida-based Xavier Phillips, who swims for East Coast Aquatic Club, won in a time of 26:07 seconds. Second was Jordan Hines in 26:22, followed by Orane Garrick in 26:32. Florida-based Matthew Lyn was fifth in 26:38, sixth place went to Kevaughn Campbell in 26:55, seventh was Nicholas Haughton in 26:75, and eighth was Kymon Naar in 26:93.
For the Jamaican females, Ivana Chang was second in the 50 free in a time of 28:57.
In the 400 free, the Jamaican males placed sixth — Kymon Naar in 4:35:07 minutes; seventh Matthew Lyn in 4:35:75, and eighth Nicholas Haughton in 4:35:93.
The female equivalent saw Annabella Lyn finishing fourth in a time of 4:52:90.
The 200-metre individual medley again saw four Jamaican males finishing in the top 10.
Kevaughn Campbell was fifth in 2:26:65 minutes; Xavier Philips was sixth in 2:26:82; seventh was Sean-Douglas Gooden in 2:30:79, and eighth was Bryce Butler in 2:32:53.
The women’s 200-metre individual medley saw Simone Vale finishing third in 2:45:62, Ivana Chang was fourth in 2:46:30, and Llori Sharpe eighth in 2:55:06.
Coach Wendy Lee was very pleased with the performances so far.
“The swimmers are in good spirits and are very focused on their performances. The results so far show that the intensive training over the Christmas period has paid off. The swimmers feel fitter and stronger and are able to swim their events more relaxed and controlled. Going forward, more focus will now be given to speed and technique.”
Fourteen Jamaican swimmers — 11 males, three females — are in Florida with coaches Lee and Barrington Brown, hoping to make qualifying times for upcoming regional competitions. The local-based Jamaicans are Bryce Butler, Sean-Douglas Gooden, Nicholas Haughton, Alex Mignott, Llori Sharpe, Kevaughn Campbell, Ivana Chang, Matdube Cole, Jordan Hines, Kymon Naar, Jordan Naar, Jada Newell, Chay Stewart and Orane Garrick.
They are joined by five overseas-based Jamaicans, Nicholas Vale, Simone Vale, Annabella Lyn, Matthew Lyn and Xavier Phillips.
The meet was set to continue yesterday, while the final day of competition will dive off at 10:00 am today.
The swimmers will return to Jamaica tomorrow morning.
