Young stars for world splash

The event will be staged in Rio de Janiero Brazil from August 22 to 27.

The duo has been two of the most consistent swimmers on the local and regional circuit. They will now have the chance to test their mettle against some of the world’s best during the six-day competition.

Also included in the TT squad are Kimba Collymore and Samantha Rahael, both having successful seasons at local meets this year.

Completing the national team are Jules Graham, Jarryd Gregoire, Joel Sankar, Cherelle Thompson and Nathania La Pierre.

Edmund Pouchet, the long-standing coach of Blue Dolphins Swim Club is the TT team’s coach and will be assisted by Pedro Haces.

Rawden Graham is the team’s manager while Charmaine Homer is the chaperone.

Following are pen portraits of the young swimming stars.

Name: Samantha Rahael (Sammy)

Date of Birth: July 23, 1992

School: International School POS (ISPS)

Pet events: 200m-butterfly, 800m-freestyle Age Group: 13-14

Swim Club: Marlins Swim Club

Coach: Pedro Haces

National and International achievements: Rahael has represented Trinidad and Tobago at numerous swim competitions including the Goodwill Games, CARIFTA Games, CCCAN (Central American & Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation), CISC (Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships) and at the upcoming World Youth Swimming Championships.

To date, she has broken 22 National Records. In the CISC Rahael broke a 19-year-old national record in the 200m butterfly event which was established in 1987. She has been honored by ASATT for the past four years as the top female swimmer in her age group.

Name: Joel Sanker

Date of Birth: February 21, 1990

School: Hillview College

Pet events: 200m butterfly, 400m IM, 1500m freestyle

Age Group: 15-17

Swim Club: Unattached

National and International Achievements: Sanker has represented Trinidad and Tobago at the CARIFTA Games, CCCAN (Central American & Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation), CISC (Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships).

For the past two years, Sanker has placed second in the Hyundai Maracas Open Water competition and is looking forward to winning this year.

Name: Jarryd Gregoire

Date of Birth: October 29, 1989

School: Fatima College

Pet events: 400 IM, 1500m freestyle, 200 backstroke, 100 backstroke

Age Group: 15-17

Swim Club: Marlins Swim Club

Coach: Pedro Haces

National and International Achievements: Gregoire has been a member of the national team since 2001. Since then he has been to the CARIFTA Games, CCCAN (Central American & Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation), CISC (Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships) and will be present at the biggest of all, the upcoming World Youth Swimming Championships.

He has also gained a third place at the Hyundai Maracas Open Water competition.

Name: Walter Romany

Date of Birth: April 4, 1991

School: St Mary’s College (CIC)

Pet events: 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, 100m freestyle

Age Group: 13-14

Swim Club: Blue Dolphins Swim Club

Coach: Mark Pouchet

National and International Achievements: Romany has represented Trinidad and Tobago on six occasions ranging from CCCAN (Central American & Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation), CISC (Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships) & CARIFTA Games 2006 where he won a trophy for emerging the top swimmer in his age group.

Name: Jules Graham

Date of Birth: April 26, 1989 School: Queen’s Royal College (QRC)

Pet events: 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle and 50m butterfly

Age Group: 15-17

Swim Club: Marlins Swim Club

Coach: Pedro Haces

National and International Achievements: Graham has been part of the national swim team for the past seven years representing Trinidad and Tobago at CARIFTA, CCCAN (Central American & Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation), CISC (Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships).

So far, Graham’s swimming career has brought him 44 trophies and a similar number of medals. For the last four years, he has been nominated as the ASATT “Swimmer of the Year” in his age division and has been Queen’s Royal College “Swimmer of the Year” for the past five years.

Graham has also held the record for the 13-14 50-metres butterfly which he established at the CISC in 2004. His next step on the road to becoming an Olympian is the upcoming World Youth Games in Rio this month.

Name: Christian Homer

Date of Birth: September 7, 1992

School: Presentation College, San Fernando.

Pet events: 400m IM, 200m IM, 50m butterfly, 100m butterfly

Age Group: 13-14

Swim Club: Stingray Swim Club

Coach: Edmund Pouchet

National and International Achievements: Homer is a multi-record holder at national and international level, in total holding 13 records.

He has represented Trinidad and Tobago at CARIFTA, CISC and CCCAN. At CARIFTA 2006 he won the trophy for the top swimmer in his age group.

He was nominated by ASATT as “Swimmer of the Year” in his age group last year. Homer is hoping to do well in the World Youth Championships.

Name: Cherelle Thompson

Date of Birth: May 14, 1992

School: Presentation College San Fernando.

Pet events: 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke

Age Group: 13-14

Swim Club: Stingray Swim Club

Coach: Edmund Pouchet

National and International Achievements: Thompson is a newcomer to the sport of swimming. Her national debut was at the CARIFTA Games this year. Since then she has been a menace to the usual winners in her age group.

Name: Kimba Collymore

School: Bishop Antsey High School

Pet events: 50m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke

Age Group: 15-17

Swim Club: Blue Dolphins Swim Club

Coach: Mark Pouchet

National and International Achievements: Collymore is the younger sister of well-known swimmer Ayeisha Collymore. She is a multiple CCCAN, CISC & CARIFTA medalist and a CAC finalist, narrowly missing out on a bronze medal.