2 days ago
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Jamaica’s Anna-Lyssa Cooke captured attention at the recently-concluded Goodwill Swimming Championship as the first-year Campion College student secured the High Point trophy for the girls’ 11-12 age group along with her nine gold medals, one bronze medal, four national records and three championship records.
Cooke enjoyed an impressive outing at the Goodwill Swimming championships she kick-started her dominance by claiming gold in the 100m freestyle in a national and championship record of one minute, 01:27 seconds.
She also won gold in the 200m individual medley, setting a mark of 2:44.72, before winning the 50m freestyle in 28.94, and the 50m butterfly in a national record of 30.84.
In the 200m freestyle, she took home the gold medal in 2:19.15, along with the 100m butterfly gold medal, stopping the clock in 1:10.61.
Cooke’s impressive performances were not limited to the individual events, however, as she also set national milestones alongside her teammates in relay events.
Cooke, along with teammates Anna Scarlett, Layla Reid and Leah-Paige Phillips, powered to a national record 5:03.23 to claim the gold medal in the 400m medley relay.
All four girls would again combine in the 200m medley relay where they set yet another national record, as well as a championship record, when they took the gold medal in 2:13.60, far eclipsing the previous mark of 2:17.32.
The quartet combined for a third time as they also set a new championship record in the girls’ 200m freestyle relay, stopping the clock in 1:57.71 to take the gold medal.
Cooke’s impressive performances saw her contributing Jamaica’s highest gold medal haul at the tournament where the island topped the medal table with 48 gold, 26 silver and 27 bronze.
She also contributed heavily to the girls’ points tally where Jamaica topped the standings with 757 points.
Following her Goodwill Swimming Championships campaign, Cooke said her next aim is to represent Jamaica at the Carifta Games.
“My eyes are also on the 53rd staging of the Carifta Games, and I want to keep pushing myself to make Jamaica proud at every level.”
Cooke, who trains locally with the Tornadoes Swim Club, saw her travel to the Goodwill Swimming Championships realised through help from various sponsors.
The Sygnus Group, along with other supporters, contributed a sum of $400,000 towards her training and expenses, with a further contribution of US$1,500 from reggae artiste Christopher Martin towards her technical swim gear.
Her parents, Dr Andrei Cooke and Kadene McPherson-Cooke, expressed their pride in their daughter’s achievements and gratitude towards those who had made her dreams possible.
“We are grateful for the encouragement she has received, both financially and in kind words,” her parents said in a joint statement.
“Special thanks must go to the Tornadoes Swim Club, with coach Wendy (Lee), and especially to coach Miguel (Jonas), for believing in her and preparing her tirelessly for this meet.”
English (US) ·