BARBADOS’ best junior swimmers left yesterday for the land of wood and water looking to reclaim their place in the pool.
Last year, Barbados earned just 27 medals in The Bahamas, well below the 2011 tally of 48, inclusive of 27 gold medals when the Games were held at the Aquatic Centre.
Multi-CARIFTA medallist Christian Selby heads the 24-member team which will be hunting swimming glory at the March 30 to April 4 meet in Jamaica.
The talented teen, who celebrated his 16th birthday on Wednesday, is set to compete in the 15-17 Boys’ category at his fifth successive appearance at the regional meet.
Matthew Courtis will also be looking to sign off his CARIFTA career with a bang.
With both Deandre Small and Inayah Sherry unable to attend, Barbados will be depending heavily on Zabrina Holder and Amara Gibbs to once again lead the hunt for medals.
There are also high hopes in both 11-12 categories with Kendi Bynoe spearheading a strong girls’ division that includes Destiny Harding, while Damon St Prix, Luis Sebastian-Weekes and Jack Kirby will lead the boys’ charge.
The girls’ 13-14 age group should also be a fruitful one for Barbados with the likes of Sariyah Sherry, Hannah Gill, Tiffany Titus and Alexis Clarke. (JM/EZS)
CARIFTA 2013 TEAM
NAME: Shannan Smith (11 to 12 Girls)SCHOOL: Harrison CollegeCLUB: Alpha Swim ClubNAME: Kendi Bynoe (11 to 12 Girls)SCHOOL: Plymouth College, EnglandCLUB: Alpha Swim ClubNAME: Rebecca Lashley (11 to 12 Girls)SCHOOL: Harrison CollegeCLUB: Pirates Swim Club NAME: Mckayla Treasure (11 to 12 Girls)SCHOOL: Providence Secondary School              CLUB: Pirates Swim Club              NAME: Destiny Harding (11 to 12 Girls)SCHOOL: Charles F Broome MemorialCLUB: Alpha Swim ClubNAME: Alexis Clarke (13 to 14 Girls)SCHOOL: Queen’s CollegeCLUB: Pirates Swim ClubNAME: Hannah Gill (13 to 14 Girls)SCHOOL: Queen’s CollegeCLUB: Pirates Swim ClubNAME: Sariyah Sherry (13 to 14 Girls)SCHOOL: Peddie College, United StatesCLUB: Alpha Swim ClubNAME: Tiffany Titus (13 to 14 Girls)SCHOOL: Harrison CollegeCLUB: Alpha Swim ClubNAME: Zabrina Holder (15 to 17 Girls)SCHOOL: The St Michael SchoolCLUB: Titans Swim ClubNAME: Amara Gibbs (15 to 17 Girls)SCHOOL: The St Michael School CLUB: Titans Swim Club NAME: Keisha Rouse (15 to 17 Girls)SCHOOL: Deighton Griffith SchoolCLUB: Alpha Swim ClubNAME: Kai Proverbs (13 to 14 Girls) Open Water?SwimmerSCHOOL: The Ursuline ConventCLUB: Pirates Swim ClubNAME: Vanessa Keany (15 to 17 Girls) Open Water SwimmerSCHOOL: The St Michael SchoolCLUB: Titans Swim ClubNAME: Matthew Benjamin Courtis (15 to 17 Boys)  SCHOOL: Kelly College, Devon, England       CLUB: Pirates Swim ClubNAME: Kobi Talma (11 to 12 Boys)SCHOOL: Harrison College     CLUB: Pirates Swim Club      NAME: Nicholas Hall (13 to 14 Boys) Open Water Swimmer           SCHOOL: Queen’s College     CLUB: Pirates Swim Club    NAME: Alex Sobers (13 to 14 Boys)     SCHOOL: Deighton Griffith Secondary     CLUB: Alpha Swim Club     NAME: Jack Kirby (11 to 12 Boys)SCHOOL: The St Michael SchoolCLUB: Pirates Swim ClubNAME: Luis Sebastian Weekes (11 to 12 Boys)SCHOOL: Harrison College CLUB: Pirates Swim Club        NAME: Damon St Prix (11 to 12 Boys)SCHOOL: CombermereCLUB: Alpha Swim Club NAME: Kent Mullins (11 to 12 Boys)SCHOOL: Harrison CollegeCLUB: Alpha Swim Club NAME: Jonathan Manning (15 to 17 Boys) Open Water SwimmerSCHOOL: The St Michael SchoolCLUB: Alpha Swim Club
