Wilson, Anthony smash more records

The National Aquatic Centre was not only a haven for National Records this weekend, but several athletes achieved qualifying times for CARIFTA and CCCAN 2017.

The meet also served as the first qualifier for long course national teams next year, namely the Bahamas-hosted CARIFTA (CCAQT) Swim Championships and the TT -hosted CCCAN (CQT) Championships.

Wilson led the record charge on Sunday by first smashing the 1997 mark in the 9-10 200m Individual Medley, initially held by Nicholas Bovell in 2:38.34, to win gold in an 11-12 CARIFTA (CQT) qualifying time of 2:36.40.

The multiple-record holder then went on to decimate his own 50m freestyle record of 28.77, establishing a new time of 27.69 seconds. Wilson, together with silver medallist Nikoli Blackman (28.72) of Marlins Swim Club, achieved CCAQT) and CQT times.

Zoe Anthony of Marlins, who broke her first ever record on Saturday, added two more in the 9-10 50m and 100m breaststroke.

Anthony, who missed the national 50m breast record by 0.1 seconds in her silver medal finish behind St. Lucian Naima Hazell on ‘Day Two’, swam 38.36 seconds in a time trial on Sunday where she erased Ayeisha Collymore’s 1998 record of 38.64, in a swim which earned her an 11-12 CQT and CCAQT.

Anthony then joined the 11- 12s in the 100m breaststroke as an exhibition swimmer where she emerged with the second fastest time among all participants in 1:24.96, erasing the 2012 record in the 9-10 category, which previously stood at 1:26.87.

The event was won by Naomi Patterson of Tidal Wave in 1:23.68 while the silver medallist was Arielle Dickson in a CCAQT of 1:27.66. Anthony went on to win gold in the 200 IM with a time of 2:44.31 to qualify for CARIFTA 2017.

The day’s races ended with the 200m freestyle relays, where Tidal Wave won gold in five events, Flying Fish won two gold, while Blue Dolphins, Tsunami and Marlins won one each.