Bovell brothers shine in CISC splash

PUERTO RICO extended their lead in the 15th Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships at Kingston, Jamaica after the second day on Saturday. The Puerto Ricans have 497 points, followed by Trinidad and Tobago 399.5 and Jamaica 362 while, in the medal standings, Puerto Rico have a total of 38 (15 gold, 13 silver, 10 bronze), ahead of TT 30 (12 gold, six silver, 12 bronze) and Jamaica 26 (10 gold, nine silver, seven bronze). On Saturday, the Trinidad and Tobago contingent captured 13 medals —  six gold, two silver and five bronze.

George Bovell, as expected, had little trouble in winning the Boys 18-and-over 200-metre freestyle in one minute 51.54 seconds. The 200 “free” is one of two events in which Bovell will be participating at the upcoming Athens Olympics, with the 200m individual medley being the other. Bovell’s younger brother Nicholas was also in victorious mode, winning the Boys 15-17 100m backstroke in 58.52 seconds. Another Olympic hopeful Sharntelle McLean claimed the Girls 18-and-over 100m butterfly in 1:04.35; Ayeisha Collymore took the Girls 15-17 version in 1:06.67; Janine Kimberly Thornhill copped the Girls 13-14 50m “free” in 27.79 seconds while the Boys 11-12 400m freestyle relay team of Walter Romany, Christian Homer, Cadell Lyons and Ryan Rigues won in four minutes 14.32 seconds. The Girls 13-14 400m freestyle relay squad of Thornhill, Megan Charles, Raenelle Carillo and Kimba Collymore finished second in 4:16.96 while Collymore (A) took silver in the 15-17 100m backstroke in 1:07.83.

In the Boys 13-14 age group, Jules Graham earned two bronze medals —  the 50m freestyle in 25.21 seconds and the 100m butterfly in 1:01.20. Christian Espinet was third in the Boys 18-and-over 100m backstroke in 1:01.63; Anthony Schamber placed third in the 15-17 100m butterfly in 58.35 and the Boys 13-14 400m freestyle relay quartet of Gregory Lambie, Graham, Jarryd Gregoire and Khalil Chu For came third in 3:50.80.