MCCALLUM CLARKE made a dream start to the 2016 CARIFTA Swimming Championships, posting a new record as the meet got underway today in Martinique.
In the heats, Clarke notched the fastest qualifying time of 2 minutes 37.82 seconds in the 200 metre breaststroke for 11 to 12 boys. He returned in the final to lower the time to 2:37.78, taking gold. Teammate Roan Baker was third in 2:49.01 and Jamaica’s Rajiv Redhi took silver in 2:45.69.
That was just one of 13 medals Team Barbados won on the opening day, comprising three gold, five silver and five bronze. Hannah Gill and Danielle Titus also won gold medals in the girls’ 13 to 14 and 15 to 17 800 metres freestyle. Gill clocked 9:18.27 and Titus 9:36:21.
 Not to be outdone, the 15 to 17 boys’ 4×100 metres freestyle relay team put the cap on the night with a new national age group record of 3:33.66, just out-pointed to the wall by The Bahamas (3:33.54). The team comprised Alex Sobers, Jack Kirby, Luis Sebastian Weekes and Damon St Prix on anchor.
Team Barbados have 134.5 points in fourth place, but are third in the medal standings.
The Bahamas top both the medals and points standings. They have six gold, seven silver and two bronze for 206 points, while Guadeloupe have five gold, six silver and two bronze for 187 points.
The hosts are in third place with 158 points, but fourth on the medal table with three gold, two silver and six bronze.
The meet continues tomorrow.
Barbados Medals at a glance
Gold
13-14 Girls’ 800M Freestyle Danielle Titus 9:36.21 minutes
15-17 Girls’ 800M Freestyle Hannah Gill 9:18.27
11-12 Boys’ 200M Breaststroke McCallum Clarke 2:37.78 (CARIFTA Record)
Silver
13-14 Boys’ 200M Breaststroke Nkosi Dunwoody 2:36.02
15-17 Boys’ 200M Breaststroke Luis Sebastian Weekes 2:27.26
13-14 Girls’ 50M Backstroke Danielle Titus 31.52 seconds
11-12 Boys’ 50M Backstroke Tristan Pragnell 31.97 seconds
15-17 Boys’4x100M Freestyle Relay 3:33.66 (Barbados record)
Bronze
15-17 Girls 800M Freestyle Alexis Clarke 9:32.18
11-12 Boys’ 200M Breaststroke Roan Baker 2:49.01
15-17 Boys’ 50M Backstroke Jack Kirby 28.03 seconds
11-12 Boys’4x100M Freestyle Relay 4:15.12
13-14 Girls’4x100M Freestyle Relay 4:20.78
