Immaculate continue reign at ISSA swim meet, Wolmer’s Boys’ dethrone Campion
With bright sunshine out all day, conditions at the ISSA High Schools and Tertiary Institutions Swim Meet were conducive for fast swimming, and the swimmers did capitalise, smashing 20 records at the one-day event.
The first four events saw three records tumble, setting the stage for some closely contested events, which delighted those in attendance at the National Aquatic Centre on Friday.
Wolmer’s Boys’ School, after years on the hunt, finally dethroned Campion College for the boys’ swimming title in convincing fashion. The Heroes’ Circle-based boys amassed 465.5 points to Campion College’s 420.5. Kingston College (215), Jamaica College (129) and Hillel Academy (66) completed the top five.
On the girls’ side, Immaculate Conception High tightened their hold on the trophy with a whopping 631 points, followed by Campion College with 357, while St Andrew High (227), Ardenne High (70) and Wolmer’s Girls’ (61) completed the frame.
After years of stalking in second place the maroon and gold of Wolmer’s, sent a message early in event two, with a one-two finish in the boys’ 200m freestyle. Kyle Sinclair topped the podium with a record-breaking 2:02.89, to lower 2:04.09 set by Wolmer’s Boys’ alumnus Sidrel Williams in 2015. Zachary Randle, also of Wolmer’s was second in 2:08.42, with Campion’s Daniel Mair (2:10.50) in third.
Sinclair led the Wolmer’s muscle harvesting 36 points, followed by Kaheem Lozer 31.5, Devaughn Robe 24 and Randle 19 points. Wolmer’s also dominated the relays securing the big points for the overall victory.
The ever cool, calm and collected Sinclair, also had records in the 50m and 100m freestyle.
Lozer broke the 13-14 50m butterfly record, blazing to a 27.26 seconds to lower the event record of 27.98 set by Williams back in 2010. Robe ( 29.19) was second and Jason Palmer (29.44) of Camperdown High third.
Immaculate’s Head Coach Teddy Hayles left nothing to chance with the strategic placing of a team with depth to better last year’s points total of 519. This was also evident in the team’s relay performances at the meet.
Zaneta Alvaranga returning from injury, made light work of rivals in her maximum five events allowed, achiveing four individual records before joining her Immaculate teammates in the girls’ 13-14 200m medley relay for her fifth record.
Alvaranga’s first record came in the 50m freestyle in the morning session when she sped to 27.17, lowering the 27.64 she set at last year’s event. Alvaranga was also the high-point winner for the 13-14 age group amassing a total of 36 points.
The girls from Constant Spring were full of talent and point scores from start to finish with Christanya Shirley (34), Brianna Anderson (32), Saidah Brown (30), Zaydia Davis (27) Amore Hunter (26), Sage Sinclair and Karci Gibson, with 22 points each, being just a few of those that ensured their team stayed atop the podium.
HIGH-POINT WINNERS
12 and Under Girls – Christanya Shirley of Immaculate Conception High 34 points
12 and Under Boys – Nelson Denny of Hillel Academy High 41 points
13-14 Girls – Zaneta Alvaranga of Immaculate Conception High 36 points
13-14 Boys – Daniel Mair of Campion College 33.50 points
15-16 Girls – Sabrina Lyn of Campion College 43 points
15-16 Boys – Nathaniel Thomas of Campion College 43 points
17 and Over Girls – Britney Williams of Wolmers Girls School 34 points
17 and Over Boys – Akeem Alleyne of Campion College 33 points