When Jamaica’s 23-member team left the island for the Central American and Caribbean Confederation (CCCAN) Swimming Championships in Barbados, expectations were high that their return would be in glory with a record medal haul.

While that did not materialise, the young sensations returned home on Thursday delighted with their individual and collective accomplishments, as they battled long and hard to secure 25 medals, one of the country’s best showing at the five-day championship in recent times.

Their tally of five gold, 10 silver, and 10 bronze medals, which placed them seventh on the 25-team standing, is nothing to scoff at, as they were only bettered by their more experienced and illustrious counterparts from the confederation, some merely based on medal quality.

Mexico (163), Guatemala (44), Venezuela (57), Puerto Rico (26), Honduras (22), and Panama (16) were those that finished ahead of the Jamaicans.

However, on point count, only Mexico (1,821 points), Venezuela (676 points) and Puerto Rico (534 points) were ahead of Jamaica’s rising stars, who amassed just over 418 points.

Beaming Team Manager Debbie-Ann Kennedy lauded the swimmers on their performances which she believes was a credit to the hard work they put in leading up to the championships.

“The team performance was awesome; they improved their position in the championship from sixth in 2021 to fifth with countries such as Mexico and Venezuela being present this year. Throughout the championship a number of the swimmers achieved personal best performances, which aside from winning medals, is a big accomplishment for them,” Kennedy told the Jamaica Observer.

“The team medal haul was also an improvement from the 22 in 2021, and that is credit to the overall camaraderie of the team which was just admirable. This is what ignited their passion and ultimately positively impacted their performances, as they encouraged and motivated each other along the way.

“The hours per day throughout the five days of competition were gruelling, nonetheless the team’s resilience resulted in a successful championship and we were happy to have competed against swimmers from Latin America and the Caribbean,”she added.

A national age group record in the 15-17 mixed 4x50m relay, as well as Sabrina Lyn’s national record swim of 2:21.48 in the girls’ 15-17 200m butterfly were the highlights of Jamaica’s performances.

The 15-17 quartet of Devaughn Robe, Zaneta Alvaranga, Lyn and Nelson Denny clocked 1:41.05 to lower the old mark of 1:43.55 set earlier this year at the PanAm Aquatics Age Group Championships in Trinidad and Tobago.

Both Alvaranga and Lyn ended the championships with nine medals each, but the former, who was also the team captain, had five gold, three silver and one bronze, to Lyn’s three gold, five silver and one bronze.

Alvaranga, who will again be off to represent the island at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in two weeks time, welcomed the performances which she said was a gauge for her heading into the July 28 to August 8 Games.

“Yeah, the CCCAN was a really good one for me because I not only got some personal best and season’s best, but it also gave an indication of where I am ahead of the Commonwealth Games because I didn’t actually taper for this meet.

“So I am happy with the results and it also gave me an indication of what I need to fine-tune in training, as the aim is for me to be peaking at the right time so when I get to the Commonwealth Games, I will be able to give off my best against strong competition.” Alvaranga told the Observer shortly after arriving at the Norman Manley Airport.

Morgan Cogle and Leanna Wainwright were the next best medal winners with two gold and one silver each.

Meanwhile, Lyn was the female High Point winner with 44 points, while Noah Barrett, who had two silver and one bronze, was the male High Point winner with 23 points.