St. Lucia Defeats Grenada in 22nd OECS Swimming Championships
DOUBLE LICKS FOR GRENADA
The 22nd OECS Swimming Championships concluded on Sunday 11th November 20012 at the Antigua Athletic Club with St Lucia delivering a double whammy to their Grenadian competitors in both winning the 2012 edition but also reconfirming their 2011 victory
This was unquestionably one of the most keenly anticipated and competed swimming events in OECS history with Grenada intent on reclaiming their hold on the trophy and St Lucia reconfirming their dominance in the sport from last year into 2012. All were not to be disappointed with the outcome (St Lucia that is)
St Lucia took the slim lead from the Saturday with a lead of 22 points over Grenada with a 848 to 826 point score. It was to be much the same on the Sunday with St Lucia eventually claiming the trophy with a score of 1536 points and 1524 points to Grenada.
The final points score being
1. St. Lucia National Team 1536
2. Grenada Oecs Swim Team 1514
3. Antigua & Barbuda Nat'l Team 1224
4. St Vincent & Gren. Nat'l Team 420
5. British Virgin Islands Team 26
It was a tribute to the overall St Lucia team effort; individual performances of the swimmers, sponsor support, judicious SLASA selection of the swimmers and contribution of the swimmers, officials, parents of the swimmers and supporters that contributed to their victory.
Further adding to Grenada’s woes was the reconfirmation at the Saturday evening OECS Swimming Congress that St Lucia were the victors of the 2011 OECS Swimming Championships
While St Lucia won the championships, the Antiguans were also victorious. In hosting the championships for the first time, they demonstrated a level of commitment, organization, comradery and OECS cooperation that has injected new life into the OECS Swimming Championships and turned the event no longer into a St Lucia/Grenada horserace (swimrace) but now a more encompassing OECS event.
The Antiguans provided international level officiating and administration and clearly demonstrable support from their government, Olympic Committee, private sector and general public. Even more impressive is that their National federation was recently resurrected to then execute this meet. Antiguans can take great pride and receive acclaim from their OECS cousins for this accomplishment
Such is the Antigua level of training that pundits have them within contention to win the Championships in the next 2 years with their aggressive program
Much jubilation greeted the St Lucia team as they arrived at George FL Charles Airport on the Sunday evening from parents and supporters.
The individual top scorers were
8 & Under Girls
1 Olivia Fuller, Antigua & Barbuda Nat'l Team 63
2 Adriana Gooding, St. Lucia National Team 44
3 Kimberly Ince, Grenada Oecs Swim Team 35
8 & Under Boys
1 Jonah Mascoll-Gomes, Antigua & Barbuda Nat'l Team 57
2 Alex Joachim, St Vincent & Gren. Nat'l Team 43
3 Ethan Prospere, St. Lucia National Team 33
3 Jenebi Benoit, Grenada Oecs Swim Team 33
9-10 Girls
1 Katie Lillie, Grenada Oecs Swim Team 63
2 Eden Crick, St. Lucia National Team 47
3 Katelin Samuel, St. Lucia National Team 43
9-10 Boys
1 Lleyton Martin, Antigua & Barbuda Nat'l Team 66
2 ,Ethan Bento C Antigua & Barbuda Nat'l Team 51
3 Jason Bento, A Antigua & Barbuda Nat'l Team 50
11-12 Girls
1 Gabrielle Paparo, Grenada Oecs Swim Team 80
2 Simone LaQua, Grenada Oecs Swim Team 70
3 Samantha Roberts, Antigua & Barbuda Nat'l Team 64
11-12 Boys
1 Noah Mascoll-Gomes, Antigua & Barbuda Nat'l Team 89
2 Kerry Ollivierre, Grenada Oecs Swim Team 83
3 Delron Felix, Grenada Oecs Swim Team 62
13-14 Girls
1 Oreoluwa Cherebin, Grenada Oecs Swim Team 93
2 Thalia Bergasse, St. Lucia National Team 81
3 Rachael Wall, Antigua & Barbuda Nat'l Team 58
13-14 Boys
1 Corey Ollivierre, Grenada Oecs Swim Team 87
2 Justin Steele, Grenada Oecs Swim Team 73
3 Mark Emanus, St. Lucia National Team 54
15-17 Girls
1 Laura Bruce, St. Lucia National Team 84
2 Joseete Philogene, St. Lucia National Team 70
3 Valorie Andrews, Grenada Oecs Swim Team 66
15-17 Boys
1 , Jordan Augier St. Lucia National Team 97
2 Donovan Simon, Antigua & Barbuda Nat'l Team 69
3 Andrew Hopkin, Grenada Oecs Swim Team 61
3 J'Air Smith, Antigua & Barbuda Nat'l Team 61
18 & Over Girls
1 Siona Huxley, St. Lucia National Team 97
2 Kevlian Andrews, Grenada Oecs Swim Team 63
3 Samantha LaQua, Grenada Oecs Swim Team 61
18 & Over Boys
1 Esau Simpson, Grenada Oecs Swim Team 73
2 Julien Brice, St. Lucia National Team 72
3 Jamie Peterkin, St. Lucia National Team 71