Hillel Preparatory’s coach Wendy Lee has heaped praise on the Burger King/YMCA Preparatory and Primary Swim Meet, which she believes is among those that continue to play a vital role in shaping some of the country’s future stars.

According to Lee, such meets are not only important for the young athletes where access to a learning and development environment is concerned, but also for the many club coaches, who utilise them as a hub to identify some of the country’s next generation of Carifta prospects.

The experienced coach’s comments came as she celebrated Hillel’s triumph at the recently concluded one-day showpiece, which served up a number of scintillating performances at the National Aquatic Centre.

Hillel claimed overall honours with a combined total of 439 points, after topping the boys’ section with 244 points, while placing second on the girls’ side with 145 points.

Mona Preparatory, who topped the girls’ section with 190 points and placed third on the boys’ side with 147 points, was second overall with a combined 397 points. Sts Peter and Paul Prep (329 points), Stella Maris Prep (302 points) and St Hugh’s Prep (207 points) completed the top five.

Excelsior was top primary school with 54 points.

“Meets like these are the foundation of swimming because this is where the country’s most decorated swimmer, Olympian Alia Atkinson started her development representing Vaz Prep School. So anything that provides a platform where swimmers can not only learn but also develop is important and it should also be noted that these school meets are where coaches get an opportunity to discover new talent,” Lee, who also heads Tornadoes Swim Club, told the Jamaica Observer.

“So, I think this is a great platform and a great opportunity to be able to expose swimmers and the more platforms like this that are thorough, well-thought-out and current, are really important and will certainly help shape the future of our aspiring Olympians,” the coach added ahead of the launch of her international invitational meet.

Some of the top performers of the Burger King/YMCA meet include Zoya Hawes of Jessie Ripoll Primary and Carifta representative Rhys Hunter of Mount Alvernia Prep, both in the 11-12 age group and Skylar Smith of Mona Preparatory in the girls’ 7-8 age group.

Arush Rochlani in the boys’ 9-10 age group headlined some of the top performers for Lee’s Hillel team.

“It feels really great to be the winner of the Burger King Swim Meet. It was a really exciting prep and primary school swim season, as the competition amongst the schools was at one of the highest levels I have experienced. Although Hillel has a good record of winning, it was never easy and so we do not discount the intensity and quality of swim competition the Corporate and rural area schools are bringing to the pool,” Lee noted.

“I am most proud of the team effort of the Hillel family, led by the coaches, executed by the swimmers and supported by the parents,” she added.

Rashai Graham, assistant brand manager, reaffirmed her company’s commitment to the development of sports in Jamaica, while noting the importance of the event in empowering the nation’s youth.

During the meet, Burger King gave away $50,000, which was shared between Mona Preparatory and Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory for their school spirit.

“Through initiatives like these we can positively impact communities. This event is not only about young athletes competing; we host this event each year in hopes of inspiring students to be the best versions of themselves and we want to instil passion, discipline and determination that they can apply to all areas of their lives,” Graham said.

“So it was very exciting to watch our young swimmers give of their best which was testament to the coaches’ time, effort and hard work dedicated to ensuring the swimmers are able to do what they do in a competitive setting,” she shared.