CARIFTA gold medallist Hannah Gill wasted little time in making her mark on the National Long Course Championships, breaking a record on the opening night of action at the Aquatic Centre on Tuesday.
Only seven finals were contested at the Wildey venue but it was enough time for the young Pirates Swim Club star to set a new mark in the Girls’ 13-14 800 metres freestyle, as she sealed an easy victory in the event.
Gill, one of the outstanding swimmers in Barbados’ CARIFTA campaign in Jamaica last year, touched the wall in nine minutes, 15.36 seconds to erase the old mark of 9:18.47 she set in last year’s championships.
Her Pirates teammates Mckayla Treasure (10:19.98) and Rebecca Lashley (10:35.60) were second and third, respectively.
Damon St Prix continued to enhance his reputation as he won the corresponding boys’ event in a time of 9:15.80.
The talented Alpha Sharks swimmer, who also dominated at last year’s CARIFTA Championships, easily brushed aside Kobi Talma of Pirates (9:52.79) and Dylan Clarke (10:39.55), also of Pirates.
In senior action, Amara Gibbs of Titans clinched the Girls’ 15-17 800 metres freestyle in a time of 9:42.81, beating her teammate and only other competitor Kimberley Willoughby (10:00.54).
In the corresponding boys’ event, Alpha’s Jelani Forde had it all his way as the only competitor, touching the wall in 11:01.84.
Alpha claimed valuable points in the Boys’ 11-12 800 metres freestyle when teammates Nkosi Dunwoody (10:39.40) and Lamar Mayers (11:06.86) finished one-two as the only entrants.
McCallum Clarke handed Alpha even more honours in the Boys’ 9-10 100 metres butterfly when he came home first in a time of one minute, 23.40 seconds. Teammate Taj Gulstone was second in 1:24.33 while Titan’s Niel Skinner (1:27.80) finished third.
The equivalent girls’ event was won by Jessica Templeton of Pirates in 1:27.58, with the Alpha pair of Aza Dunwoody (1:29.04) and Kayla Smith (1:33.28) copping second and third.
Meanwhile, national swimmer Sariyah Sherry was one of three to achieve CARIFTA qualifying times on the opening night when she clocked 27.72 seconds in the Girls’ 15-17 50 metres freestyle time trial.
Sherry was joined by Alpha’s Alex Sobers who jetted to 4:11.87 in the boys 15-17 400 metres freestyle, and Ashley Weekes who was timed at 2:59.86 in the Girls’ 11-12 200 metres breaststroke. (KP)
