Swimmers have biggest medal haul yet at OECS meet
The Antigua & Barbuda Swim Team has returned home from St. Lucia on Monday having attended the 21st Sagicor OECS Swimming championships comprising of five nations with 130 swimmers participating, making it the best attended championship yet.
The team returned home with an astounding 25 gold, 49 silver, and 39 bronze medals for a total of 113. In 2009, the team brought back 30-plus, and in 2010; 81. Four OECS records were broken bringing the total to 13, records held by Antigua & Barbuda.
Lleyton Martin amassed three records (25 breaststroke, 25 free and 50 free), while Samantha Roberts broke the 50 fly record. Overall, 19 swimmers achieved the top five in their respective categories:
- 8 & Under Girls: Olivia Fuller (1st), Gabriella Gittens (2nd)
- 8 & Under Boys: Lleyton Martin (1st), Alexander X Bento (3rd), Jadon Wuilliez (4th), Sebastien Gobinet (5th)
- 9–10 Girls: Samantha Roberts (2nd), Makaela Holowchak (4th)
- 9–10 Boys: Dylan Ross (3rd), Ethan C Bento (4th), tie with Jason Bento (4th)
- 11–12 Girls: Gabriella John (3rd), Aliah Maginley (4th), Rachel Wall (5th)
- 11–12 Boys: Omar John (2nd), Noah Mascoll-Gomes (5th)
- 13 –14 Boys: Donovan Simon (1st), J’Air Smith (4th)
- 18 & Over: Karin Clashing (2nd)
Antigua and Barbuda finished third in the OECS total points and medal count at 1139 points, 113 medals. Grenada was the OECS Swim Championship winner by virtue of finishing first with 1484.5 points, 123 medals.
St. Lucia was a close second with 1484 points and 133 medals, while St. Vincent came in third at 261 points, 15 medals. The British Virgin Islands brought up the rear with 216.5 points, four medals.
At the OECS Congress, the decision of the host nation has been deferred until April 1, 2012. At this time. Antigua will bid to host the championship. It is expected that BVI and Grenada will also bid at this time to host the championship.
The Antigua and Barbuda team was coached by Head Coach Mark Mitchell, and Assistant Coaches Wayne Mitchell and Zoe Swatton. For more info, check out the swim team's website.
