Barbados Places Third at Goodwill Swimming Championships in Saint Lucia, Improves Standing from 2023

Barbados placed third at the 28th Goodwill Swimming Championships over the weekend in Saint Lucia. With over 120 events contested between Friday and Sunday at the Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre, Team Barbados did enough to improve on their 2023 standing, returning to the spot they last held in 2022.

According to officials of the Barbados Aquatic Sports Association (BASA), the team did exceptionally well, and is to be congratulated.

The Bahamas once again surged to the top of the standings with 1487.5 points, comfortably ahead of Trinidad & Tobago with 902.5 in second. But Barbados on 892 points was right behind the Trinbagonians, and carved out a solid advantage over Jamaica, at 798. A record 300 swimmers from 10 territories took part in this year’s meet.

Among the boys, Barbados were fourth with 373.5 points, behind Suriname (386), Trinidad & Tobago (420.5), and leaders the Bahamas (759.5). But the Bajan girls were able to turn in 506.5 points to end up in second behind the Bahamas (710) and on top of Trinidad & Tobago (474).

Leading the way for the girls was Khalia Springer, with 55 points in the 13-14 division. She won the 100m, and 200m freestyle, as well as the 50m and 100m butterfly, and the 200m individual medley. Ayoka Martin, with 39 points, including gold in the 50m freestyle, was also third in that group.

Also commanding a top three position was Toni Walrond, in the 15-17 girls. She won the 200m freestyle and was third in her age group, compiling 39 points.

For the boys, Zachary Ladipo shared the 9-10 title with Trinidad & Tobago’s Micah Alexander, both getting 48 points. Ladipo took gold medals in the 100m freestyle, in addition to the 50m and 100m backstroke.

BASA president Robert Armstrong told Barbados TODAY that he sees the performances from the weekend as a platform

“We are extremely pleased with the team’s effort this year and their return within the top three of the table,” said Armstrong. “We as a federation will seek to build on their achievements and success, and we hope to see some persons transitioning to our 2025 CARIFTA and CCCAN teams.”

Petra Watson, the team manager in Saint Lucia, spoke to Barbados TODAY about the strong finish from the group of 40 young swimmers.

“I’m totally pleased with the team’s performance,” she declared. “They came out, they gave their all, and that’s good enough for me. Honestly, I think that everyone came out, they gave their all, they’ve worked hard, they practised up to this point.

“And I think they came out, they gave everything they had, and all I can say I’m totally pleased with what they did at this event.”

Watson said the team had a singular goal in mind, coming in to execute to the best of abilities. She saluted their hard work and determination, telling Barbados TODAY that the management group took away “all positives” from the meet.

(TF)