T&T swimmers aim to end 16-year Carifta title drought

Hazely Haynes, assistant coach of the T&T Carifta Aquatics Championship team, said their ambition is to end this country’s 16-year title drought when the 39th edition splashes off in Fort De France, Martinique, from Saturday (April 4) until April 8, at the Lamentin Aquatic Center.

Speaking earlier this week ahead of the team’s departure today, Haynes, a former team head coach and now one of three assistant coaches along with Sharntelle McClean and Mark Riva, with Deronn Samlalsingh the head coach, said the team of 31 swimmers is a relatively good bunch, with the lone hiccup being in the 15 to 17 girls age group, where T&T will not be represented in the relays.

Last year, host at the National Aquatic Centre in Balmain, Couva, the Bahamas won their seventh straight title with 979 points, with Jamaica a distant second with 795.5 and T&T third with 735, while the Cayman Islands (477.5) and Aruba (469) completed the top five nations.

T&T swimmers tallied 57 medals (23 gold, 17 silver and 17 bronze) for the second spot on the medal table, behind the Bahamas, who won 74 medals, inclusive of 27 gold, 23 silver and 24 bronze, while Jamaica was third with 56 medals (21 gold, 19 silver and 16 bronze), with the Cayman Islands ending with 32 medals (13 gold, 10 silver and nine bronze), the same as Barbados, who secured 11 gold, nine silver and 12 bronze.

Asked her thoughts on T&T’s chances of ending their title drought, which dates back to 2010 in Jamaica, after winning in 2009 as well in Aruba, Haynes said, “We are improving every year, and while our last win was in 2010, we have been striving ever since.

“We are usually in the top three, so it’s really Bahamas, Jamaica, and T&T that fight for the top three places. So, we are going out there confident, we’re going out there determined, and we’re going out to do our very best for T&T.

Haynes noted that while the team has some outstanding individuals, a solid team effort will be needed to get the job done.

“This is a team, and every swimmer has to contribute if we are to be successful, and I believe we should wait until the meet is over, and we’ll see all the many names that have jumped out at us at those games. I love that.”

“We have a few swimmers from overseas who will join us, but the preparations have gone well and we are in a good place.

Leading the charge for T&T will be Bolles High School swimmer Liam Carrington, who will enter the competition with a reputation as one of the region’s elite talents following his dominant displays in the pool last year.

​Carrington’s inclusion in the 15-17 Boys category provides a massive boost to the national delegation.

He is joined in that division by a deep roster of talent, including Jaden Mills, Jonathan Sombrano, Aaron Colthrust, Anpherne Bernard, Isaiah Alexander, and Jaden Ramdeen. This veteran core is expected to be the engine room for the TTO medal count as they face off against the Caribbean’s best.

​In the girls’ categories, the 13-14 division will include Taylor Marchan, Zara Persico, and Marena Martinez leading the charge. Martinez is set for a gruelling schedule, as she is also the sole representative for the 14-15 girls in the Carifta Open Water team. The 15-17 girls will see Holland-based Belmar twin sisters, Raegan and Breanna, teaming up with Anya Davis to challenge for podium spots.

Alongside Martinez in the Open Water contingent, the 16-18 boys trio of Marcus Alexander, Alexander Alleyne, and Kyle Abhay Boodram will be looking to navigate the currents to success. The 16-18 girls’ open water squad features Ava Josephine Charles, Alexandra Carr and Irmani Smith.

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Team TTO Carifta team

Swimming

Girls 11-12: Zahara Anthony, Serenity Pantin, Katelon Leera, Na’Ziya George

Boys 11-12: Julius Ennals, Khalil Braithwaite, Taylan Diaz, Micah Alexander, Eli Edwards, Wyatt Harrison, Keenan Serrette, Liam Lee Mc Burnie

Girls 13-14: Taylor Marchan, Zara Persico, Marena Martinez, Zalayhar Lewis, Kimari Antoine

Boys 13-14: Ethan McMillan Cole, Xaiden Valentine, Nkosi Baptiste, Kyle Leera

Girls15-17: Raegan Belmar, Breanna Belmar, Anya Davis

Boys 15-17: Liam Carrington, Jaden Mills, Jonathan Sombrano, Aaron Colthrust, Anpherne Bernard, Isaiah Alexander, Jaden Ramdeen

Open Water

Girls 14-15: Marena Martinez

Boys 14-15: Kristin Allen, Chad Baboolal

Girls 16-18: Ava Josephine Charles, Alexandra Carr, Irmani Smith

Boys 16-18: Marcus Alexander, Alexander Alleyne, Kyle Abhay Boodram

Technical Team:

Swimming: Deronn Samlalsingh (Head coach)

Open Water: Maurice Faria (Head coach)

Assistant Coaches: Hazel Haynes, Sharntelle McLean, Mark Rivas

Team Manager: Michelle Gibbins

Chaperones: Kieth Matamoro, Teheli Sealey

Local Officials: Wendell Lai Hing, Neal Marcano, Dinnora Gil, Sean Sheldon Anthony, Bertram Blackman