John-Williams, Homer smash CARIFTA marks

The 35-member team of Trinidad and Tobago smartly decked in red, white and black, set themselves as major contenders by qualifying for several events in the evening’s finals. Kimberlee John-Williams established a new 15-17 Carifta and national record, and an open national record in the 50-metre backstroke of 30.53.

This also qualified her for the CAC Games in Puerto Rico. The old age group and open record belonged to Ayeisha Collymore in 31.00, while the Carifta record of 31.10 belonged to Rebecca Sharpe.

Teammate Makayla Armstrong placed 15th. Christian Homer erased his own 15-17 male 2009 Carifta record of 27.45 in the 50-metre backstroke establishing a new mark of 26.93. Cadell Lyons was second in 28.15.

In the 200 metre breaststroke, Syriah David was the second fastest 11-12 female qualifier in 3:05.51. Jessica Gay was ninth just missing the final.

In the boys, Christian Gillette swam 3:04.21 making him the eighth qualifier. Sachin Sankar swum 3:15.21 to place 14th. All 11-12 swimmers made personal bests.

Jeron O’Brien comfortably qualified for the 13-14 male final placing third in a personal best 2:39.99. Blaine Sobrian placed 10th. In the 15- 17 girls, Samantha Rahael (2:48.93) and Rejan Chin (2:49.94) indicated their podium intentions by placing first and second respectively. Abraham Mc Leod was third in 2:37.93 with Ryan Rigues eighth in 2:42.40 in the boys 15-17.

Tyla Martin was the 11-12 girls 50 Back fastest qualifier in 32:63, 0.2 off the Carifta record. Katherine Keane was 12th.

In the boys, Jabari Baptiste (31.46) and Revash Ramtahal (34.87) qualified second and seventh respectively for the final. Kristin Julien in the 13-14 girls the fastest qualifier in 32.19.

Both Joshua Romany (29.72) and Keegan Boisson-Yates (29.88) qualified third and fourth respectively for the final. TT was very successful in the 100 metre butterfly with all our entrants qualifying for finals.

Martin won in 1:07.83 just shy of the 1:07.77 Carifta record of John Williams. David was fifth in a personal best 1:13.49.

Baptiste won the 11-12 male version in a personal best 1:06.88, with Joshua Ramkissoon seventh in a personal best 1:10.93.

The best swims continued by TT swimmers in the 13-14 female event where Bryanna Duncan placed fifth in 1:10.89.

Dylan Carter is the top contender in the 13-14 male via his prelim win of 59.84. Romany was fourth in 1:01.90.

John Williams (1:07.83) and Kadeja Phillip (1:08.30) did a one-two in the Girls 15-17 event.

In the male version, Lyons was the second fastest qualifier in 57.72, with Homer fourth in 58.11.

The only relay age group requiring a morning swim in the relays was the 15-17 female age group.

The team of Samantha Rahael, Cherelle Thompson, Simone Maundy and Kadeja Phillip, won the heat easily in 4:12.51.

All other relays would swim straight finals in the evening. Rahael and Stefan Sharpe will start TT’s medal charge in the Day One Finals, in the 800m and 1500m free timed finals.

The opening ceremony for the 25th Carifta Swimming Championships was scheduled for 6.30 pm (TT time) last evening.