Cayman swimmers compete home and away
The Cayman contingent at the meet in Florida
(CNS Local Life): Cayman’s swim clubs joined together recently to take part in the “Floribbean” swim fest comprising two competitions held a week apart here and in Florida. During the weekend of 21-23 July, 25 swimmers from Cayman travelled to Tampa to the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Centre to race against Blue Wave Swimming athletes. The following weekend, 28-30 July, Stingray Swim Club (SSC) hosted Blue Wave members to compete against local swimmers from Stingray, Camana Bay Aquatic Club (CBAC) and Seven Mile Swimmers (SMS), as well as representatives from the Special Olympics Cayman Islands team.
The Florida competition was open to all age groups without time standards, which meant any swimmer could participate in a 50m pool and a 25 yd pool. The Cayman leg was held at the 25m Lions pool, with the Blue Wave swimmers travelling down here to take part. The two events gave all swimmers the unusual opportunity to compete in three different pool sizes.
Cayman’s swimmers won almost every freestyle race in their age category at the Florida event, adding golds in relays and winning long-distance events. Overall, the team recorded 33 personal best times out of 72 swims.
Sierrah Broadbelt, of SMS, set two long course national records at Brandon, in 100m breaststroke and 100m backstroke (breaking her old mark), in her 8 and under group. Back in Cayman in the Lions pool, she broke two more national records in short course in the 200m freestyle and 100m backstroke.
Jorian Neblett, of SSC, a teenager who has shown “enormous” growth this summer, will be pursuing CARIFTA-qualifying times the rest of this year and into 2018, stated a press release. Neblett recorded personal best times in all events in both meets.
Stingray assistant coach Neil Hamp praised the young swimmer, saying, “This is a testament to Jorian’s consistency, and also to something of which all our swimmers and coaches strive towards. Our goal to be a world-class programme is realistic and obtainable.
“To achieve this goal, we need to be consistent all year round and this summer championship meet is the greatest step forward we can make in providing opportunities for all swimmers not just in Stingray, but in all Cayman’s swim clubs to achieve their potential.
“We have already had talks with other teams who are interested and excited to return with the potential to bring new teams in tow.”
Blue Wave coach Kyle Trelka said he would like to see more of these competitions. “The Blue Wave Swimming coaching staff looks forward to organising more swim events and meets with Cayman. The Cayman coaches are incredibly knowledgeable of the sport and are truly passionate,” he said.
