Romany smashes backstroke record

WALTER ROMANY put his name in the record books on Thursday night at the National Long Course Swimming Championships, continued at the Marlins Swim Pool, Westmoorings. Competing in the Boys 11-12 50-metre backstroke, Romany touched the wall in 31.81 seconds, ahead of La Joya’s Aaron Smith (35.18) and Tidal Wave’s Cristopher Buffong (36.08). Romany’s time erased the previous national time of 32.79 set by Jules Graham in December 2002. Romany, from the Blue Dolphins Club, also won the 200m backstroke in two minutes 36.12 seconds, followed by Buffong 2:42.87 and Ikenna Ward of Blue Dolphins 2:54.56.

Another Blue Dolphins’ representative Ayeisha Collymore was also in winners’ row on Thursday, copping the Girls 15-17 200m backstroke in 2:37.33, followed by clubmate Renee Pouchet 2:41.30 and Marlins’ Chantal Redon 2:52.64; the 100m freestyle in 1:04.74, ahead of Redon 1:05.53 and Pouchet 1:08.35 and the 50m backstroke in 32.80, with Pouchet 34.24 and Donna Wickham of Tidal Wave 34.74 trailing. Action continues today with preliminary round races at 9 am and finals from 5 pm.