Martin, Baptiste lead 11-12s charge
Thirteen swimmers in the 11-12 age group will represent Trinidad and Tobago at the Carifta Swimming Championships in Jamaica from 3 - 6 April 2010. Tyla Martin, Syriah David and Jabari Baptiste are expected to be the main medal hopefuls emanating out of this group.
One of the main principles of the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT) as it relates to Carifta team selection is that our best 11 - 12 swimmers are selected, whether or not they attain the qualifying times. The idea behind this is that these swimmers are still in transition from junior to senior swimming and this would allow them a fair opportunity to develop before the stringent qualifying times are enforced. Despite the above facts, Trinidad and Tobago is going with a stronger contingent of 11-12s than last year, as six swimmers have achieved qualifying times, as opposed to the four that qualified last year.
Among the girls, Tyla Martin and Syriah David have attained a plethora of qualifying times which may make our 11-12 female group possibly the strongest since 2006 - the year qualifying times were introduced. Martin is based at the Coral Springs Swim Club in Florida and this would be her national team debut. Last year, she indicated her interest in swimming for the red, white and black, since she is a T&T national by descent. Her swimming prowess was well demonstrated at ASATT's December Invitational Swim Meet where she smashed three national records in the appreciating view of her "new found" home crowd. Her seven Carifta A qualifying times demonstrate her podium readiness, and the nation expects to hear several national anthems from her swims.
Syriah David has been on a path of continuous improvement. Last year she was the most outstanding 11-12 female at the Goodwill Swimming Championships in Barbados. This year she as turned it up a notch to qualify for Carifta with B times in four events, and has a excellent shot at bringing home precious metal for Trinidad and Tobago. David and Martin, combine with Jewel Mulrain and Jessica Gay for a qualifying 4 x 100 metre medley relay, and have been training hard to register a medal performance.
Jabari Baptiste is now in top form and is hoping to be the one to beat in the 11-12 age group. Last year, his Carifta performance in no way reflected his true potential, especially since he took the opportunity to focus on his SEA exams. With that burden off his shoulders, the national record holder qualified in eight events, with "A" qualifying times in three. Hopes are alive for the Diego Martin lad to bring home the hardware, even some of the gold hue.
Revash Ramtahal was the final qualifier in 11-12, via his national record he established in the 50 metre backstroke last year when he was in the 9 - 10 age group. The other 11-12 males selected on the team were Christian Gillette, Christian Lewis, Joshua Ramkissoon and Sachin Sankar. On the girls side, Chantal Newallo, Katherine Keane and Melina Marcano round off the 11-12 group.
Underdogs as they may seem, this group of swimmers cannot be written off. A perfect example of the hope of our young talent is 13-14 standout Joshua Romany who got on to the 2007 Carifta team while he was a non-qualifying 11-12, due to the withdrawal of a team member. His stint on that national team, through the faith of ASATT in our young swimmers must have assisted in motivating and propelling him to success.
With hard work of clubs, coaches, parents, administrators and athletes, we can expect a few surprises when these 11-12s leap off the blocks at the Carifta Games. 11-12 swimmers will be going full throttle at Carifta as they would be aiming to qualify for the Cuba Hosted CISC Championships for which they must achieve qualify times to be selected . T & T awaits with bated breath as this group contributes to our attempt to do back to back wins, with our last successful defence mission being 2001 - 2002.
11-12 Team Entries
GIRLS
Chantal Newallo 50 free, 4 x 50 free relay
Jessica Gay 50, 100, 200 breast; 4 x 100 medley relay
Jewel Mulrain 50 fly, 400IM, 50 breast; 4 x 100 free, 4 x 50 free, 4 x 100 medley relays
Katherine Keane 50, 100,200 back
Melina Marcano 200 fly, 4 x 100 free
Syriah David 100, 200, 400 free; 100, 200 breast; 100, 200 IM; 100, 200 breast; 4 x 100 Fr, 4 x 50 Fr, 4 x 100 medley relays
Tyla Martin 50,100, 200, 400 free; 50,100, 200 back; 50, 100 fly; 200 IM; 4 x 100 Fr, 4 x 50 Fr, 4 x 100 medley relays
BOYS
Christian Gillette 50, 100, 200 breast; 400 IM, 4 X 100 Medley
Christian Lewis 50 free; 4 x 50 free, 4 x 100 free relays
Jabari Baptiste 50,100, 200, 400 free; 50,100, 200 back; 50, 100 fly; 200 IM; 4 x 100 fr, 4 x 50 fr, 4 x 100 medley relays
Joshua Ramkissoon 50, 100, 200 fly; 400IM; 4 x 100 fr, 4 x 50 fr, 4 x 100 medley relays
Revash Ramtahal 50, 100 back
Sachin Sankar 50, 100, 200 breast; 100, 200, 400 free; 200 back, 200 IM; 4 x 100 fr, 4 x 50 fr, 4 x 100 medley relay
