Topics

1

Other Sports / Riding a wave T&T win overall CCCAN title, 2nd in swimming

« on: July 04, 2017, 10:39:05 AM »

Big up Maxg's young G's who stepped up big time.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20170703/sports/tampt-win-overall-cccan-title-2nd-in-swimming

Trinidad and Tobago hosted the Central American and Caribbean Swimming Federation (CCCAN) Championships for the first time and also conquered CCCAN for the first time. And president of the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT) Wendell Lai Hing is pleased with the historic feat.

Team TTO, led by gold medal performances from the 11-12 age-group straight up to the 18 and over contingent, were declared the overall CCCAN champions when the curtain came down on the championship on Sunday night at the National Aquatics Centre in Balmain, Couva, However, the swimming contingent had to settle for second behind Puerto Rico.

“This is actually an historic event,” said Lai Hing as he reflected on T&T's performance in the biennial championships.

2

Other Sports / Dylan Carter Thread

« on: December 07, 2016, 10:51:20 AM »

CARTER SMASHES 200 Free National Record

Dylan Carter produced an impressive swim in the preliminary of the 200m freestyle male event in 1:42.90 to become the fastest qualifier in the event at the World Short Course Championships in Windsor Canada.

Carter smashed the 200 Freestyle record set by George Bovell III in 2004 of 1:44.81. He won his heat 9 comfortably ahead of Korea’s Taewan Park (1:44.09) and Belgium’s Pieter Timmers, with Park emerging the 7th fastest qualifier moving on to the final.

Franz Huggins, Carter's locally based coach was pleased with the performance.

"The swim this morning looked very controlled. He split his race perfectly and really looked smooth throughout. With Two Olympic 200 freestyle medalists in the final with him tonight, he will have his hands full, but there is no doubt a place on the podium is the goal."

The final is scheduled for after 8:00pm (TT Time), where Carter will get the coveted Lane Four on his quest for precious metal for T & T.

3

Other Sports / Ince swims at CanAm Para Champs

« on: March 20, 2015, 09:38:48 AM »

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Ince-swims-at-CanAm-Para-Champs-296960761.html

By Kwame Laurence
Story Created: Mar 19, 2015 at 8:55 PM ECT
Story Updated: Mar 19, 2015 at 8:55 PM ECT
Shanntol Ince splashes into action this morning at the CanAm Para Swimming Championships, in Toronto, Canada.

The Trinidad and Tobago swimmer will compete in the qualifying round of the women’s 400 metres freestyle and 100m butterfly events. She is also expected to swim in the 50 free and 100 free.

Ince’s coach, Franz Huggins did not travel to the meet. However, his assistant coach at the Areios Aquatechs swim club, Daniel Tardieu accompanied the 19-year-old swimmer to Toronto, together with manager/physio June Durham.

Huggins told the Express the CanAm Para meet is a warm-up for a major August assignment.

“The meet is being used to familiarise herself with the pool for the upcoming Parapan American Games. Some of the best para swimmers in the US and Canada will be competing at the (CanAm Para) meet.”

In 2011, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Ince created history by becoming the first T&T representative at a Parapan American Games.

Just 16 at the time, she performed with distinction, bagging bronze medals in the women’s 100m backstroke S9 and 100 free S9 events.

Ince was one of the star performers at the 2013 Youth Parapan American Games, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, capturing four gold medals.

She won the women’s 400 free in five minutes, 30.41 seconds, and also emerged victorious in the 100 back (1:23.12), 100 fly (1:21.89) and 100 free (1:12.86).

Ince and visually impaired shot put and discus thrower Carlos Greene competed at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

4

Other Sports / YOG

« on: August 19, 2014, 06:05:49 AM »

Swimmer Dylan Carter qualified 3rd overall in the 50 freestyle after the semis. As top seed going into tomorrow's 50 butterfly prelims, he now has a chance to be a Multi medallist at these games.

5

Other Sports / World Junior Swimming Championships

« on: August 31, 2013, 10:42:02 PM »

No one has been picking up the news on this?

Like I said before, the next generation is coming. We are still a little ways off of the world standard, but for CAC and even Commonwealth next year, we could do some damage in a sport that has had very limited success.

Leaving Dubai for home tonight a very satisfied coach!

http://www.guardian.co.tt/sport/2013-08-31/carter-lands-world-junior-swim-medal

6

Other Sports / Bovell in 50 free finals today at World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona

« on: August 03, 2013, 04:22:20 AM »

With all the talk about track and field coming up, and nothing to celebrate in local swimming burdened with immature behavior, I thought it would be nice to bring some good news.

George made it in as the last qualifier from the semis last evening, but did so in the fastest ever field. To put some perspective, his time in the semis in London had him 5th going into the final, and that would have left him out of today's final.

Good to see him still improving and repping well.

NBC has coverage from 1:00 today, but those who want to see it live can view

http://www.time4tv.com/2011/09/british-eurosport.html

I am on the World Juniors Team this month and will hopefully see some more success from a promising group of youngsters on that team.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Bovell-into-Worlds-50--free-final-218179382.html

Trinidad and Tobago swimming Olympic medallist George Bovell secured his place in the final of the Men’s 50-metre freestyle event yesterday in Barcelona with a 21.74 seconds clocking at the 15th FINA World Long Course Championships in Barcelona, Spain.

The result edged Bovell into today’s final as the eighth and final qualifier after he finished fourth in the first semi-final from lane one at the Palau Sant Jordi pool. This despite the fact that the T&T swim ace had the slowest reaction time of 0.73 seconds of both semi-finals.

Bovell will now be looking to add to the 100m individual medley bronze medal he won at the World Short Course Championships last year in Turkey. He is T&T’s lone Olympic swimming medallist with 100 IM bronze from Greece in 2004.

Yesterday Bovell told the Express that he “did not feel fast” during the heats, but “a little sore and stiff”.

“I can’t express my satisfaction and relief in the way I turned that around tonight,” Bovell said. “I am into the fastest final ever in the premier event in the sport. Everyone knows T&T. I am also very happy about the time as it was my fastest ever, and shows that I am continuing to improve despite taking time off and finding the time to give back and going to Uganda resuming real training only in May.”

Bovell is hoping he can improve his time to aroud 21.5 seconds, which he feels can win him a medal.

Heat One was won by Adrian Natuan of the USA in 21.60 seconds from lane three, while Cesar Filho Cielo (also 21.60) of Brazil—the world record holder in the event with a 21.90 mark back in 2009—was a narrow second in Lane Four.

Third was Roland Schoeman, swimming in lane seven, the South African establishing a new African record with his time of 21.67.

Frenchman Florent Manaudou, though, was the top overall swimmer on the day. The Olympic champion clocked an impressive 21.37 to beat USA’s Ervin Anthony to the wall and win the second semi, the latter clocking 21.42.

Also lining up in the final will be Manaudou’s countryman Frederick Bousquet (21.62) and Russian Vladimir Morozov (21.63), who were third and fourth respectively.

Bovell made it to the semis on the strength of his fourth-place finish in Heat Ten of the preliminaries, achieving his time of 22.09 from Lane Three.

Manaudou was again the best in swimmer of the prelims, with a 21.72 clocking that saw him edge Cielo (21.76) from lane four. Neither Andrii Govorov (Ukraine; 21.96) nor Matthew Abood (Australia; 21.91), who were third and fourth in the prelims, made it to the final

7

Other Sports / Nothing short of greatness

« on: July 16, 2012, 09:29:28 AM »

http://www.guardian.co.tt/lifestyle/2012-07-16/nothing-short-greatness


While we are on the topic of the Olympics, we have two Paralympians gearing up for late August in London.


They seem as different as night and day. The 17-year-old swimmer from Gasparillo Secondary who loves the butterfly stroke and the 43-year-old power-lifter who turned down a recent event where he was sure to medal again don’t appear to have much in common. Together, this dynamic duo, Shanntol Ince and Carlos Greene, share unshakeable determination and a common goal: to bring home Olympic medals for T&T. As the world focuses on the upcoming Olympics, they’ll be winding up their training for the Paralympics, which follow the Olympics in London from August 19 to September 9.  Ince and Greene, sponsored by British Petroleum Trinidad and Tobago (bpTT) will represent T&T in those games. Ince will swim the 100-metre fly, 100-metre backstroke and 400-metre freestyle, and Greene will enter track and field competition for the discus and shot put. It’s the first time in 24 years that this country has sent athletes to the Summer Paralympics, but the local Paralympic organisation is back on track again. Ince and Greene feel proud to represent our country as athletes. “It’s an honour,” says Ince. “I consider myself to be a patriotic person,” says Greene. “I’m honoured.” Representing T&T as an athlete means hard-core training. For Ince and Greene, there are additional challenges. Ince was born with a significantly shorter right leg. Her flexed right foot barely passes her knee. Greene is blind. Those are challenges—not obstacles—for these two athletes. But they both have to step up their game for the Paralympics.
“They have to train just as hard as any other athletes,” says Colin Sebright, Ince’s strength-training coach at the Fitness Centre Gym in Starlite Plaza, Diego Martin. There, clients stop to marvel at Ince’s physical feats. She removes her leg prosthesis for training and swimming. She skips rope with a variety of intricate moves that most people can’t do with two legs. She practises explosive starts, kneeling on the floor and pushing off with a barbell threaded through a TRX, a Navy SEAL’s device used in suspension training. She flies through the air and lands on one foot. “She never misses her training,” says Sebright. “Her determination is admirable.” Her gruelling schedule includes two hours of training in the gym and two hours of swimming with coach Franz Huggins at Marlins. On Saturdays, there’s music practice and dance practice and Girls’ Brigade at her church. She devotes Sundays to church. Ince began swimming in Jay’s Private School at the age of four and was swimming competitively by the age of eight.  “Growing up, I took part in everything—I swam, danced, played netball—anything physical, I was in that, ” said the quiet, pensive teenager with an uncanny ability to focus. “There is no difference between her or any other swimmer I coach,” said Huggins. “What sets her apart from others is her determination. She is willing to work hard, and she never complains.” It was two years ago that Ince saw a DVD about the Paralympics called Spirit in Motion. It changed her life. “I was inspired. I wanted to represent Trinidad and Tobago,” Ince said.
 
She has represented T&T and won gold medals in swimming events before, but not on the international scale of the Paralympics. Still, the race she remembers the most is the 2008 Open Water race here in T&T, a swimming marathon at Maracas Beach. “It was my first time swimming at Maracas. It was scary and I was praying to finish the race. You’re in the water, not seeing land, you feel there might be sharks. “When I finished, I was in the top eight for women. I’ll never forget that race,” she said, with a sense of control that seems to define her every move.
Ince describes herself as “ordinary, intelligent and hard-working…I am willing to work twice as hard to be on an ordinary level with other people.”  Her determination has always helped her to thrive rather than survive. “It was challenging growing up. People used to stare at me and laugh. My parents always told me, ‘Don’t let anyone or anything discourage or dishearten you.’”
Her parents, St Paul Ince and Tracy James-Ince, always told her, “You’re special,” and instilled an unshakeable sense of confidence and spirituality in her. “They told me no matter what, the Lord is always there for me.” She dreams big and works toward lofty goals, from sports to school. Next year she’ll be studying sociology, biology and chemistry at CAPE level. She wants to be an occupational therapist some day. Ince is proof that there are no hurdles that can’t be conquered in life. Her advice: “Put God first in everything. Make sure you have the right support—the right company that will build you up and support you. Don’t worry about the past and what happened in the past. Believe in yourself and know you can do it.” Shanntol Ince believes nothing can keep her back in life, and she knows she’s a winner.

8

Other Sports / Carifta Swimming

« on: April 12, 2012, 11:19:58 AM »

It has started in the Bahamas and anyone interested can watch the live stream at http://bahamasswimmingfederation.com/_m1810/Live-Video-Feed-Carifta-2012

finals tonight start at 6:30 Nassau time which is also TT time and eastern time. From tomorrow onwards they start at 6.

9

Football / Havelange Goes Before The IOC Drop

« on: December 05, 2011, 12:09:08 PM »

Saw this on swimnews today. Thought it pertinent to football. Helluvathing!

Havelange Goes Before The IOC Drop

http://www.swimnews.com/News/view/9092

Craig Lord
Dec 5, 2011

The tales of corruption at the heart of the IOC, FIFA and in Olympic sports brushes the world of swimming today on the news that Joao Havelange, the former President of FIFA and an Olympic swimmer for Brazil in 1936 when Hitler was up in the stands, has resigned as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) just as expulsion threatens to follow inquiry.

The 95-year-old is the longest serving member of the organisation. He cited health reasons as he bid farewell to the IOC after 50 years, according to AP reports.

Havelange faced suspension over his part in a bribery scandal dating back to a time when he headed FIFA, a body that refused to investigate. The IOC stopped in and launched an inquiry after the BBC's Panorama programme, aided by the constant campaigning for truth by freelance journalists Jens Weinreich and Andrew Jennings, respectively German and British, exposed corruption related to ISL, the marketing agency used by the IOC, FIFA and several other Olympic federations, including FINA at one stage.

The IOC Ethics Commission began an inquiry into allegations that Havelange received $1 million from ISL, which owned World Cup television rights and collapsed with debts of $300 million in 2001.

A two-year suspension, or even possible expulsion, loomed for Havelange, a decision due on Thursday this week. IOC rules stipulate that ethics cases are dropped if members resign, a policy that to some appears to be another way of saying: you'll only get a stain on your character if you remain in the club but if you leave in time, we'll look the other way.

There are more embarrassing moments ahead. Havelange was praised by Carlos Nuzman, the President of Rio's successful 2016 Olympic bid, after he attracted applause with an invitation for IOC members to join him for his 100th birthday in Rio in May 2012. The party may now have a different set of names on the guest list.

Two other prominent IOC members, International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President Lamine Diack and Issa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), are also under investigation.

Ricardo Teixeira, Havelange's former son-in-law and head of Brazil's 2014 World Cup Organising Committee, was also identified by Panorama as having received payments. He is not an IOC member but the close connection will doubtless come under further scrutiny now.

Meanwhile, Sepp Blatter, current FIFA head, announced at the last FIFA Executive Committee meeting in Zurich that the federation will reopen an investigation into ISL and transfer of funds.

10

Other Sports / Introducing Shantol Ince - T and T's Paralympic Swimmer

« on: November 21, 2011, 05:59:06 AM »

Shantol was a finalist at Commonwealth Games Last year and has been doing great things in paraswimming. I believe she has qualified for London and is our highest ranked swimmer outside of George Bovell. She is 16 years old. The newly formed Paralympic Committee is doing great work in T and T. Congrats to Ken and Debbie and well done Linky and June!

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/PARA_HISTORY-134218853.html

PARA HISTORY
Double bronze for Ince in Guadalajara
By Kwame Laurence kwame.laurence@trinidadexpress.com

Story Created: Nov 20, 2011 at 10:49 PM ECT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2011 at 10:49 PM ECT

Already in the history books by becoming the first Trinidad and Tobago representative at a Parapan American Games, Shanntol Ince added another chapter on Friday by bagging bronze in the women's 100 metres backstroke S9 event, at the Scotiabank Aquatics Center, in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Not satisfied with her achievement, Ince claimed another medal on Saturday, the 16-year-old para swimmer securing bronze in the women's 100m freestyle S9.

T&T Paralympic Committee (TTPC) president Ken McKell described Ince's double strike as "an historic moment" for the local Paralympic movement.

"A milestone in our lives, and we plan to go from strength to strength with the support of all stakeholders who would have an interest in our community of persons with disabilities. TTPC is using sport to improve and enhance their lives. We certainly hope that it will create a greater awareness of the potential of persons with disabilities in sport."

The Parapan American Games, a multi-sport event for athletes in the entire western hemisphere with physical disabilities, is held every four years. In the previous three editions, there were no T&T representatives. And at the 4th Parapan American Games, in Guadalajara, Ince was the country's lone athlete. She did her compatriots proud, the two bronze medals earning T&T 12th spot on the medal table. Brazil finished first with 81 gold medals, 61 silver and 55 bronze, for a grand total of 197.

McKell, who travelled to Guadalajara as the T&T chef-de-mission, paid tribute to Ince.

"Her performance has certainly been inspiring," he told the Express, "and a true testament to the dedication and commitment of improving her life through sport."

On Friday, Ince touched the wall in one minute, 23.45 seconds to finish first in section one and third overall in the women's 100m backstroke S9. American Anna Johannes topped section two in 1:17.59 to grab gold, ahead of Brazilian Camille Cruz (1:21.88).

Ince returned to the pool on Saturday, topping section one in the 100m freestyle S9 in 1:13.28. The swim earned the T&T para athlete a second bronze. Gold and silver went to Johannes (1:09.02) and Cruz (1:11.10), respectively.

Earlier in the Games, Ince finished fourth in the women's 100m butterfly S9 (1:24.93), 50m freestyle S9 (34.33 seconds) and 400m freestyle S9 (5:39.48) events. She also competed in the 100m breaststroke SB8, copping fifth spot in 1:48.39.

Ince was accompanied to the Parapan American Games by McKell, Ralph "Linky" Yearwood (coach), June Durham (chaperone/massage therapist), and Deborah McKell (attaché). The Games ended yesterday.

McKell said Ince is expected to be on show next year on the biggest sporting stage for para athletes.

"All indications are that she will be representing Trinidad and Tobago at the London Paralympics 2012.

"There are other athletes," the TTPC president continued, "who are training. Carlos Greene in shot put, wheelchair racer Ricky Singh, and Dennis La Rose in table tennis--they will be attending qualifying events in early 2012 in a bid to qualify."

The late Rachael Marshall is the only T&T athlete to have earned precious metal at the Paralympics. At the 1984 Games, in New York, USA, she captured gold in the women's shot put L5 and javelin L5 events, as well as bronze in the women's 100m freestyle L6.

11

Other Sports / Commonwealth Youth Games 2011

« on: September 08, 2011, 08:54:44 AM »

Here in the Isle of Man at the Commonwealth Youth Games. All competition starts tomorrow except rugby 7's. Will give you guys some updates on how the team is doing. Rooming with the track coach, so I will get some results from there as well.

12

Other Sports / George Bovell

« on: July 29, 2011, 07:20:21 AM »

He qualified joint 1st out of the prelims of the 50 and is now 6th after the semis heading into the finals. Finals will swim off early in the morning saturday tt time. The difference between 3rd and 8th after prelims was .14, so anything could happen.

13

Other Sports / World Short Course Swimming Championships 2010

« on: December 16, 2010, 08:07:34 AM »

So after Joshua McLeod finished 40th yesterday in the 100 fly, George Bovell managed a 4th place out of the prelims of the 50 free. He has the semi final in about 2 hours and stands a good chance at making the final if he simly repeats his prelim performance. The Caribbean is doing well at this meet with Cayman's Shaune Fraser finalling in the 200 free yesterday and placing 8th. Jamaica's Alia Atkinson has made the women's 50 breast final to be swum in the next 2 hours. Bahamian Arianna Vanderpool Wallace made two semis today and was 5th overall in the women's 100 free while she was 15th in the 50 fly.

Mcleod was 36th in the 50 free and Cherelle thompson by a couple of seconds in the 100 free.

14

Entertainment & Culture Discussion / Arrow Dead

« on: September 15, 2010, 06:36:14 AM »

Six AM today in Monsterrat I think

15

Other Sports / On our way to Hawaii

« on: August 21, 2010, 09:03:09 AM »

In the LA area right now on my way to Maui with young Joshua Romany. We are going to Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, a meet which the US and Australia have prioritised as higher than the youth Olympics and will be very fast. Josh is a 14 year old who will be competing against the best 18 and under swimmers from the pacific rim and the rest of asia and the americas. It is his first big meet and we are simply attempting to get his feet wet, so to speak, at this level. Anyone in the LA area who looking to lime, I will be here until Monday afternoon. We going down to Irvine Aquatic Center to cheer on George this afternoon when he races World Record Holder Ceasar Cielo in the Senior meet in the 50 today.

16

Other Sports / Christian Homer wins TnT's first ever medal at the Youth Olympic Games

« on: August 18, 2010, 10:46:28 AM »

Gold in the 50 backstroke today at 7 AM TnT time. More to follow...

17

What about Track & Field / Pilar McShine

« on: April 12, 2010, 11:52:17 AM »

Anyone seen this video on Flotrack. Some strong training with god company by Pilar. I was impressed, although she was singled out as always being the last to get started by the coach. Laid back Trini culture again.

http://www.flotrack.org/videos/speaker/54-karen-harvey/74874-episode-3-florida-state-lady-seminoles

Mods please embed.

18

What about Track & Field / Gordon burns the track in Tobago

« on: March 28, 2010, 05:07:01 AM »

Big big time a week before Carifta.


Eighteen-year-old World Championship 4th place finisher Jehue Gordon (Memphis) sped to victory in a time of 49.65 seconds in the 400m hurdles on day two of the 9th Falcon Games at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet yesterday. Gordon got off to a fast start and pulled away to win, ahead of the 2002 World Junior 400m hurdles finalist Gregory Little of Jamaica. Little was well beaten into second place in 52.71 seconds with Ancil Nicholson third in 53.31 seconds. Gordon’s winning time is off his personal best of 48.26 seconds, which he set in finishing fourth in at last year's World Champs in Berlin, Germany, making him the second fastest junior performer all time.

The win is the final warm up for Gordon as he seeks to defend his B U 20 400m hurdles title. Sparkle McKnight won the women’s 400m hurdles in a new personal best of 59.20 seconds ahead of Gabriella Cumberbatch 0.04 seconds behind in 59.20 seconds. In third place was 16-year-old Kernisha Spann (Neon Trackers) one min 3.60 seconds. Mc Knight, Cumberbatch and Spann will represent T&T at next weekend Carifta Games in the Cayman Islands. McKnight and Cumberbatch G U-20 400m hurdles and Span G U17 300m hurdles.

19

Other Sports / John-Williams, Romany lead Carifta Teams

« on: March 11, 2010, 06:25:58 AM »

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=161606532

Strong teams on both sides though the Water Polo tournament is not that competitive. I will be with the team as the article says, and am looking forward to this one. The 13-14 boys in particular will be something to see, and we are missing our best distance swimmer in that event as he is going with the Polo team. We will also be bringing back our foreign based swimmers such as Christian Homer, Samantha Rahael, and Keegan Boisson Yates in addition to introducing US born Tyla Martin to our regional meets. She is a 12 year old who is very talented and in a very experienced programme in Florida and with a Trinidadian mother, has committed herself to representing us at this early age. I just hope that we continute to support her and do nothing to discourage her from it.

20

Other Sports / 200 plus for Open Long Course Championships

« on: March 04, 2010, 10:59:50 AM »

 
Over 200 swimmers from Trinidad and Tobago, and nine swimmers from Colombia have registered to participate in the Annual ASATT Open Invitational Long Course Swimming Championships which takes places from Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th March at the Marlins Swim Pool, Morne Coco Road Westmoorings.
 
This meet acts as the final qualifier for T & T swimmers to qualify for the Carifta Swimming Championships in Jamaica which is scheduled for April 3rd to 6th. Additionally, the meet has been sanctioned by FINA (the world governing body of swimming) to be the final qualifier in the region for the inaugural Summer Youth Olympics scheduled for August 2010. Cadell Lyons, Christian Homer and Kimberlee John Williams have already qualified for the Youth Olympics.  The inclusion of the Colombia swimmers at these championships are a definite boost to the quality of the meet, and they are going to be the swimmers to beat in their respective events. The meet will also include a 10 & under  category to give the younger swimmers exposure to keen competition.
 
Several 2009 Carifta individual medallists are vying for places on the Carifta team, and would be looking to perform at their best to cement their place on the team. Among the medallists participating include John Williams, Lyons, Joshua Romany, Dylan Carter, Kristin Julien, Ryan Rigues, Rejan Chin, Kadeja Phillip and returning home from his Coral Springs Florida training base is 13-14 swimmer Keegan Boisson-Yates. Top 11-12 swimmers Syriah David and Jabari Baptiste will also be making their bids for Carifta selection.
 
Foreign based National Record holders Christian Homer, Tyla Martin and Samantha Rahael have also made qualifying times for Carifta, and would join the team closer to team departure. Swimmers at this meet can also attempt to qualify for the CAC Games in Mayaguez Puerto Rico in July of this year. Among those seeking to make their bid for CAC selection are national record holders Carryl Blondell, Joshua Mc Leod, and Napoleon Howell, along with Lyons and John Williams.
 
The schedule for the meet is as follows:
Session 1 Thursday 4th March 2010 Warm-up 4:45 p.m. and Competition (Prelims) 6:00 p.m.

Session 2 Friday 5th March 2010 Warm-up 4:45 p.m. Opening Ceremony 6:00pm Competition (Finals) 6:30 p.m.

Session 3 Saturday 6th March 2010 Warm-up 8:00 a.m. and Competition (Prelims) 9:15 a.m.

Session 4 Saturday 6th March 2010 Warm-up 3:45 p.m. and Competition (Finals) 5:00 p.m.

Session 5 Sunday 7th March 2010 Warm-up 8:00 a.m. and Competition (Prelims) 9:15 a.m.

Session 6 Sunday 7th March 2010 Warm-up 3:45 p.m. and Competition (Finals) 5:00 p.m.

21

Other Sports / T&T record-breakers to contest December invitational

« on: December 10, 2009, 06:18:34 AM »

The last one for the year. i95 will be on hand for live broadcast at 6PM today. If anyone in the west, come through, it should be a decent meet.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=161567928

Top swimmers Kimberlee John-Williams, Dylan Carter, Miko Cruz, Abraham McLeod, Napoleon Howell and Jeron O’Brien, who all broke records at the recently-concluded National Short Course Open, will splash into action when the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago hosts its annual ASATT December Invitational at Marlins Swim Pool Westmoorings from December 10-13.Â

The six Trinidad and Tobago swimmers are expected to be among a field of more than 362 participants competing at the four-day meet, which will feature swimmers from other Caribbean countries including Grenada, Barbados, St Lucia and Guyana at the Marlins facility, splashing off from tomorrow until Sunday.

John-Williams and Carter were among T&T’s outstanding swimmers at the Central American and Caribbean Aquatic Age-Group Championships (CCCAN) in Venezuela and helped the national team to second spot behind the hosts.

Others expected to compete include England-based Christian Homer, who touched down in Trinidad from his UK base on Sunday, and Cherelle Thompson, two other top performers at the CCCAN Games.

Several national records are expected to be broken since the world governing body of swimming, FINA, has approved the meet as an official qualifier for the inaugural Youth Olympics in 2010 in Singapore.

Three of T&T’s swimmers have already qualified for the Youth Olympics and this would provide an opportunity to register times in additional events and for new swimmers to qualify.

2009 December Invitational Schedule

Thursday: Warm-up 4:30-5:50 p.m.

Competition 6 p.m.

Friday: Warm-up 4-5:30 p.m.

March past 5:40 p.m.; Competition 6 p.m.

Saturday: Warm-up 7:30-8:50 a.m.

Competition 9 a.m.

Warm-up 3:30-4:50 p.m.; Competition 5 p.m.

Sunday: Warm-up 7:30-8:50 a.m.

Competition 9 a.m.

Warm-up 3:30-4:50 p.m.; Competition 5 p.m.

22

Other Sports / Carter, Yorke smash records at Stingray Meet

« on: October 06, 2009, 06:09:25 AM »

Dylan Carter, 2009 multiple Carifta and CCCAN gold medallist, and aspiring star Kael Yorke smashed two records each at last weekend's Stingray October Classic at St Michael's Pool in San Fernando.

Carter, of Marlins Swim Club, broke two records which belonged to his club's head coach Franz Huggins.

On Saturday, he erased the 11-12 male 100-metre freestyle record of 56.02 seconds set by Huggins in December 1992.

The new record established was 55.73 seconds.

One day later, he continued his mission to better his mentor by erasing the 50-metre freestyle record of 25.52 with an impressive time of 24.98 seconds.

Carter also won the 11-12 male age group overall and achieved 2010 13-14 male qualifying times for the Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships (CISC) and/or Carifta in the 50m free, 200m free, 100m backstroke and 200 individual medley (IM).

Yorke, of Tidal Wave Aquatics, broke the 8 & under male 50-metre butterfly and freestyle marks on Sunday.

First, in the 50-metre fly, he swam a fast 36.03 seconds to erase Stuart Gillette's record of 36.30 set in December 1996.

He then went on to clip the December 2005 50m free record of Jonathan Fabio of 32.56 seconds, registering a new mark of 32.54.

Yorke, a 2009 Goodwill Games national team member, also convincingly won the overall trophy for his age group.

Many swimmers started to make bids for 2010 national age-group team places by achieving qualifying times for CARIFTA Games, scheduled for April 2010 in Jamaica, and/or CISC, set for Cuba in July.

Among the qualifiers were Caryle Blondell, Kimberlee John-Williams, Cherelle Thompson, Rejan Chin and Kadeja Phillip of Blue Dolphins; Jabari Baptiste, Keegan Boisson-Yates, Jonathan Gillette, Jason Rodriguez, Joshua Romany and Joel Sankar of Marlins; Cadell Lyons of Petrotrin Barracudas; Napoleon Howell and Bryanna Duncan of Sea Hawks SC; Jeron O'Brien and Syriah David of Tidal Wave; and Kristin Julien of Tsunami Swim Club.

The next opportunity for swimmers to qualify is at the Tsunami second annual swim meet on October 18 at the same venue of last weekend's event, before the Torpedoes Invitational from October 23-25 at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya.

23

Other Sports / Aquatics World Championships

« on: July 26, 2009, 08:00:29 AM »

Swimming started today, with every other discipline already started during the past week This morning's prelims saw 8 championship records including relay lead-offs. The suit wars continue, but this will be the last major meet according to FINA in which they will play a role. New rules come January. For those who interested, NBC has coverage from 12 eastern today.

So far no Caribbean entrants have made semis, but very impressive performances by some youngsters who are using the meet as development towards London and beyond.

24

Other Sports / T&T finish 2nd at CCCAN

« on: July 07, 2009, 06:43:13 AM »

A huge acheivement and really puts us in a different light regionally. Some amazing performances despite many of the team being under the weather due to the conditions in Venezuela.



T&T had its best ever finish at the Central American and Caribbean Confederations (CCCAN) Aquatic Championship. It placed second in the 20-country bi-annual six-day competition which ended in Barquisimeto, Venezuela on Sunday. Going into the final night of swimming at the Bolivarianas Pool, host Venezuela was assured of repeating as champions in the 26 edition of the event with a lead of over 600 while second placed T&T had a slim 57-point lead over Mexico.

However, the local quintet of England-based Christian Homer, Kimberlee John-Williams, US-based Sharntelle Mc Lean, Cadell Lyons and Joshua Romany all splashed to gold medals which made certain of the runner-up spot on the team and medal tables. The 16-year-old Homer won his third gold in the 15-17 Boys’ 100 metres backstroke in 59.29 seconds to beat countryman, Lyons (1:00.86) and Cuban, Alex Hernandez (1:01.30) into the silver and bronze medal places.
Within the space of five minutes, John-Williams added to T&T’s gold medal haul when she outswam her rivals in the 13-14 Girls’ 100 metres backstroke in 1:07.41 seconds for her second golden swim.

Lyons went one better in the 15-17 Boys’ 50 metres freestyle as he outsprinted the field to take gold in 23.67 seconds to set a new national record, which erased his old mark of 23.90 set in Jamaica last year. It was Lyons’ third gold over the six days of competition, and his third personal best time set, also. Romany then added his name to list of gold medallists for the record breaking T&T swimmers with a sizzling 24.92 clocking in the 13-14 Boys’ 50 metres freestyle final, his personal best for his second gold of the Championship. Other gold medal winners for T&T included Joel Sankar, three-time gold medallist Dylan Carter and Cherelle Thompson while John-Williams also had a bronze medal swim on the night.

Sankar swam to his silver medal in the 18 & Over 400 metres individual medley in a time of 4:45.44 to trail Venezuela’s Maaylor Salgueiro (4:44.61 ). El Salvador’s Pamela Benitez (26.65 seconds) won gold ahead of Thompson, and Suriname’s Chinyere Pigot (27.18 seconds) in the 15-17 Girls’ 50 metres freestyle while John-Williams picked up the lone bronze medal on the night, in the 13-14 Girls’ 50 metres freestyle (28.22).

Host Venezuela dominated the final night with the` more gold medal performances to end with 159 medals, 74 gold, 48 silver and 37 bronze for 1,767 points. Second was T&T with 652 points, its highest total ever from 54 medals (16 gold, 23 silver,15 bronze), another record. Third was Mexico with 537 points followed by Guatemala (472), Honduras (299) and Costa Rica (269). The T&T team arrived home yesterday along with the water polo contingent, which secured one silver and two bronze.

25

Other Sports / Barbados' Bradley Ally faster than Phelps

« on: March 27, 2009, 06:36:22 AM »

Not quite. Phelps never swam at NCAA's due his being professional since the age of 15 but, still a hell of an accomplishment. The third Caribbean NCAA champion after Trinis Mark Andrews and George Bovell. Shaun Fraser of the Cayman Islands was 5th in the same race. Last week, a couple of Bahamian girls made finals in the women's meet. Sadly, this year we have no Trinis at this meet.




COLLEGE STATION, Texas, March 26. IT is not every day that you can say you are better than Michael Phelps in an IM, but Florida's Bradley Ally can do just that after winning the 200-yard IM at NCAAs.

Ally blasted to an NCAA record time of 1:40.49, which is the second-fastest of all time. The mark beat the 1:40.55 set by Ryan Lochte back in 2006 for Florida, but also made the 1:40 club just two men. Phelps, who focuses on meters usually, is the third-fastest in the event with a 1:41.30.

The win is Florida's sixth in the event, putting them in a three-way tie with Auburn and Indiana. USC and Stanford are on top with eight each. Previous Florida 200 IM titlists were Martin Zubero (1991), Greg Burgess (1993, 1994) and Lochte (2005, 2006).

Michigan's Tyler Clary clocked a swift 1:41.67 for second that moved him ahead of Adam Ritter (1:41.72) for fourth fastest of all time. Texas' Ricky Berens completed the top three with a 1:41.92 to clip his previous best from prelims of a 1:41.98.

26

Other Sports / Young Aquatic Stars selected on Carifta Teams

« on: March 19, 2009, 06:38:23 AM »

We trying to take everything this year. Some meet records could be in danger this time around. This meet has produced Olympic medallists and finalists from Guadeloup, Martinique, TnT, French Guyana, Barbados and Jamaica. It should be pretty fast this year.



Young Aquatic Stars selected on Carifta Teams


Thirty Three swimmers and Thirty Five Waterpolo players were selected by the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago (A.S.A.T.T.) on Tuesday night to represent T & T at the CARIFTA Games next month. The CARIFTA Waterpolo Championships are scheduled from April 10th to 12th in Curacao, while the swimming events are to be held from April 16th to 19th in Aruba.
 
ASATT adhered to strict qualification criteria for selection of its teams and this accounted for the less than full teams being sent in both disciplines. The 18 & Under male Waterpolo only consists of nine out of a maximum thirteen members, while the swim team was short of a full complement by three members. Despite having less numbers on the teams, the strength and potential is unquestionable as the both outfits seek to return the CARIFTA trophies back home.
 
Last year, Trinidad and Tobago were second to the French Antilles Combined  Team in the swimming championships. T & T not only has a stronger team with more swimmers achieving qualifying times, but with the dismantling of the French Combined Team by the CARIFTA Congress last year, this has enabled us to have our best chance yet in a few years to reclaim the CARIFTA Title. The last time the title was won was in 2004 in the Bahamas.
 
Leading the charge for the CARIFTA team includes gold medallists from 2008 such as Kimberlee John-Williams, Keegan Boisson-Yates, Joshua Romany, Christian Homer, Cadell Lyons and Carryl Blondell. Following the excellent performances at this past weekend's National Open Long Course Championships, these swimmers along with 'A' qualifiers Samantha Rahael, Kristen Julien, Dylan Carter, Jonathan Gonzales and Ryan Rigues are expected to be main contenders for the top of the CARIFTA rostrum.
 
In Water polo, Trinidad and Tobago will be attempting to win a clean sweep in the three categories. Last Year, the 18 & Under Female and 15 & Under Male teams won Gold in the Jamaica hosted 2008 championships. The 18 & Under Male team was second to Curacao. The girls team would have the services of 2008 ASATT Waterpolo Female Player of the Year Kelcie Ferreira who scored 22 goals in last year's tournament, as well as Nicola Welch and Caleah Gregoire who scored 7 goals in piece. Simon Chin Lee and Daniel Alvarez who scored 16 goals a piece last year, as well as 2008 ASATT Waterpolo Male Player of the Year Russell Ferreira, are a part of this year's 16 & Under squad.  2008 18 & U male Water Polo Player of the Year, Ryan Percy, is again a part of the 18 & Under Squad.
 
The full team lists are listed below:
CARIFTA SWIMMING TEAM

MANAGEMENT TEAM:

    * Manager                                                -           Jessica Chin
    * Head Coach                                           -           Franz Huggins
    * Assistant Coaches                                 -           Shawn Pouchet, Mark Pouchet, Brian Wickham
    * Team Doctor                                          -           Dr. Zynul Khan
    * Chaperones                                            -           Avril Baptiste, Jason Wickham

 
11 - 12    
   
   
MALE                            FEMALE
Christopher Greene            Bryanna Duncan
David Mc Leod                    Cadean Lyons
Dylan Carter                    Kristen Julien
Jabari Baptiste                    Rebekah Mendoza
Jeron O'Brien                    Theana Hay
Jonathan Gonzales    
     
13 - 14    
Blaine Sobrian                    Kimberlee John Williams
Christian Awah    
Joshua Changar    
Joshua Romany    
Kareem Baptiste    
Keegan Boisson-Yates     
Moriba De La Rosa    
Sean Roget    
     
15- 17    
Cadell Lyons                   Cherelle Thompson
Carryl Blondell                   Kadeja Phillip
Christian Homer                   Laverne Maxwell
Jason Rodriguez                   Nathania La Pierre
Jonathan Cabral                   Rejan Chin
Ryan Rigues                   Samantha Rahael
Stefan Sharpe    

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CARIFTA WATERPOLO TEAM
 

MANAGEMENT TEAM:

    * Head Delegate                                     -           Peter Gillette
    * Manager: 18 & Under Female              -           Kristina Mc Hugh
    * Manager: 16 & Under Male                 -           Ashraf Hanna
    * Manager: 18 & Under Male                 -           Arthur J. Chin Lee
    * Head Coach                                         -           Alan Too-A-Foo
    * Assistant Coach                                   -           Kester Scanterbury
    * Massage Therapist                               -           June Durham   

 

 

    * 18 & UNDER FEMALE
         1. Marissa Newallo
         2. Jordan Laughlin
         3. Nichola Welch
         4. Kelcie Ferreira
         5. Samantha Pantin
         6. Kelly Chin Lee
         7. Renee Chin Lee
         8. Dayna Gillette
         9. Caleah Gregoire
        10. Kennedi Clarke
        11. Laura Ashley Henderson
        12. Amelia Alonzo
        13. Brittany Mc Hugh (G)

 

    * 16 & UNDER MALE                                             
         1. Ryan West
         2. Marc Stauble
         3. Jonathan  Gillette
         4. Russell Ferreira
         5. Joshua Cabral
         6. Daniel Alvarez
         7. Andrew Clarke
         8. Simon Chin Lee
         9. Adam Hanna
        10. Akil Taylor
        11. Daniel Tardieu
        12. Kieron Emmanuel
        13. Andrew Too-A-Foo (G)

 

    * 18 & UNDER MALE
         1. Christopher Forte
         2. Ryan Percy
         3. Jake Gillette
         4. Alec Chin Lee
         5. Jonathan Bolai
         6. Jason Rodriguez
         7. Michael Deane
         8. Kris Thomas
         9. Yannick Hutson (G)

27

General Discussion / Teen killed for laughing at gunman

« on: February 10, 2009, 07:51:12 AM »

Peter Christopher pchristopher@trinidadexpress.com

Tuesday, February 10th 2009

   

An innocent laugh by Devon Blake, as he looked on at two adults arguing, cost him his life on Sunday night.

Blake,16, a form one pupil of the Russell Latapy High School, was sitting in porch of his Chinatown, Upper St Francois Valley Road, Belmont, home when a gunman approached him and opened fire.

He was taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital where he died.

Speaking with the Express yesterday, relatives said hours before the shooting, two men were arguing and Blake started to laugh at one of them.

The man reportedly started threatening Blake, asking him what he was laughing at as the youngster walked away from the two men.

The man is then believed to have left the scene to get a gun before following the youngster to his home.

Denise Blake described her youngest child as a loving and helpful youngster yesterday.

"He was a community child, he would always be helping out the neighbours," said Blake at the Forensic Science Centre in St James.

Homicide detectives are continuing investigations.

And in an unrelated incident, the brother of a police officer was shot dead while returning from a birthday party during the wee hours of yesterday morning.

Dion Primus, 20, a former professional footballer, was killed when a black CRV pulled alongside the car he was in and gunmen opened fire.

Primus, originally of Trou Macaque, Laventille, moved to Dorata Street, Laventiile, following an upsurge in gang violence.

Police reports state that Wendell Douglas and Kevon Springer were also in the car with Primus, who was seated in the front passenger seat.

As they approached the Fernandes compound on the Eastern Main Road in Laventille, the occupants of the CRV reportedly opened fire on the car.

Douglas, who was driving, managed to speed off, but the car then crashed into a utility pole outside the Fernandes compound. All the occupants were rushed to hospital, where Primus died on arrival.

Douglas and Springer remained warded at hospital, both in serious condition, last night.

The two killings pushed the toll to 74 for the year.

At the same stage last year, the murder toll was 51.

28

General Discussion / ROWLEY WINS

« on: February 04, 2009, 05:41:02 AM »

Diego Martin West MP awarded $100,000 as judge rules Integrity Commission acted in bad faith
Ria Taitt Political Editor

Wednesday, February 4th 2009

   
From Trinidadexpress.com

The institution set up to ensure integrity among persons in high office was itself the subject of severe censure by the High Court for displaying a gross lack of integrity.

Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee yesterday delivered a damning indictment of the conduct of the Integrity Commiss-ion, saying that it acted "in bad faith in relation to former Minister Dr Keith Rowley and is guilty of misfeasance in public office".

As such Rajnauth-Lee awarded Rowley $100,000 as compensation with interest at 12 per cent yearly from August 10, 2007. In her 45-page ruling she also ordered that the Commission pay Rowley's legal fees to his attorneys Gilbert Peterson SC, Reginald Armour SC, Vanessa Gopaul and Margaret Rose.

The judge also made the following "troubling observations", saying that the Court did not accept the Integrity Commission explanation as to why it wrote to the Prime Minister Patrick Manning on October 19, 2004, to ascertain whether an enquiry (into Landate) was to be undertaken and the name of the persons to man the enquiry and the terms of reference. "The Court notes that the Integrity Commission is an independent constitutional body which ought to act independently pursuant to its constitutional statutory powers and duties," the judgment stated.

The Court also expressed its alarm at what it heard from the Registrar, Martin Farrell, who said that "there was a coming together of pure chaos [at the Commission] and unfortunately Dr Rowley was not heard". "Mr Farrell is the Registrar...and the Commission is a constitutional body with important obligations and duties and extensive powers", the judge said.

The Court rejected the Commission's submission that it acted in error when it sent the Report to the Director of Public Prosecutions under Section 31 (3) of the Integrity Act. "I find at the very least that the Integrity Commission did not care whether Section 38 of the Act was being breached," the judge stated.

The Court said there were two issues to be determined- whether it acted in bad faith or was recklessly indifferent to the fact that its legal action could cause injury (referred to as the "tort of misfeasance".)

The Judge was harsh as she assessed the letter sent to Rowley about the matter being referred to the DPP, saying: "Paragraph 2 of the Integrity Commission's letter is both callous and frightening. The promptness of the response-in one day-suggests to the Court...that they (the Commission) did not care whether Dr Rowley's right to be heard was breached by their conduct or not. The promptness of the response, and the very response, suggest that no proper investigation was carried out into the complaint lodged by Dr Rowley's attorneys".

"In all the circumstances of this case, the Court finds that when the Integrity Commiss-ion referred its report to the DPP on August 7, 2006, it was recklessly indifferent as to whether this conduct was illegal. In the judgment of the Court, the Integrity Commission was subjectively reckless in the sense of not caring whether their conduct was illegal or not".

The Court, however, found that Rowley had suffered no financial damage and provided no evidence to support his bold assertion that he has suffered damage to his reputation.

It also adjudicated on whether the Commission induced Dr Rowley and his wife, Sharon Clark-Rowley, to hand over information in breach of his right to protection against self-incrimination, saying that there was no evidence that the information provided by Clark-Rowley was incriminatory.

Speaking with members of the media outside of the Port of Spain High Court yesterday, Rowley said that his lawsuit was never about the money.

29

Other Sports / Season done, last meet for the year finish...

« on: December 15, 2008, 07:36:47 AM »

For Max and others who may be interested...

We had a good one this weekend at home here. Got 3 national records for the club. One individual, Joshua Romany finally broke one of the elusive Nicholas Bovell 11-12 age group records (400 free). He narrowly missed the 50 100 200 freestyles, and 200 butterfly records. We had another who narrowly missed the 400 IM record. But the real acheivement for my group of guys in 11-12 was the fact that as a club we broke two national relay records which were previously held by national teams. To put together four guys who train together at a club and have them do that was really great to see. Max you can check out the meet results at:

www.marlins-tt.com

We have some real gunners for next year though. One in particular who will beat up the whole region and beyond sooner than later.

That's it for now though... bed like it calling me back.

30

General Discussion / Who hear about the scandal at Power 102 this week?

« on: November 04, 2008, 01:09:52 PM »

I putting the question out there for those who may have heard and can give more insight. I heard piece of this on i95 this morning. Here is what i gathered...

Apparently our good Prime Minister was at his local barber (he still goes there to stay in touch with the people despite having a salon in his mansion) when he heard two radio journalists appealing to the Government to address the issue of the budget being hinged upon the price of oil. the discussion leveled criticisms toward Gov't spending and the perceived disregard for the current financial crisis plaguing the world today.

Well our Prime Minister went to St. Vincent Street where the station is located and blocked off the road. He requested that the journalists responsible for the discussion be suspended for their actions or that they be removed. the station has granted his request and suspended the individuals.

All of this happened about 3 days ago, and the media association is not too impressed. My question is, why is this not prevalent in the media? Anyone with some insight?