George Town, Grand Cayman, 23 February 2015: The Dart sponsored Cayman Islands National Swimming Championships, took place February 19th – 21st and saw swimmers face some of Cayman’s coldest weather in a long time as they suited up in pursuit of National titles, and for those swimmers old enough, CARIFTA qualifying times.

“The second annual Cayman Islands National Championships provided all those who braved the cold with the opportunity to witness the very best of our young athletes,” said Cayman Islands Amateur Swimming Association (CIASA) President Michael Lockwood. “Over the four days of competition we saw some really fast swimming: multiple new CARIFTA qualifying cuts were achieved every day; new CIASA and National records, and Lions Pool records were set and all the competing clubs will also have to update their records documents.”

Amongst all the new records, three new records of note are those which previously belonged to Olympians Andrew MacKay and Shaune Fraser:

–           Boys 11-12 100 Freestyle – Jordon Crooks (SSC) 1:02:63 (FINALS) – CIASA/NATIONAL Records – previous holder A. Mackay (1:03:10 CIAS – October 1998)

–           Boys 11-12 50 Freestyle – Jordon Crooks (SSC) 27:88 (FINALS) – CIASA/NATIONAL Records – former holder S. Fraser (27:88 – February 2001) both will hold the record jointly

–           Boys 13-14 200 Freestyle – Eddie Weber (CBAC) 2:01:92 (PRELIMS) CIASA Record – previous holder S. Fraser (SSC 2:04:89 – November 2002). Eddie Weber lowered record to 2:00:18 (FINALS) – CIASA Record

Family and friends turned out in full force to cheer on the swimmers, as did Chris Duggan – Dart’s VP-Community Development; Colin Anglin Director, Sports Government; Ryan Mushin, Senior Swimming Instructor, Department of Sports; Peter MacKay, CIASA Past President and Frankie Flowers, CIASA Director who all assisted in handing out medal to the swimmers during the Finals Sessions.

On the last night of competition, CIASA President Michael Lockwood also presented well deserving awards to Sheena Frederick-Westerborg, Volunteer of the Year; Sara MacKay, Open Water Volunteer of the Year; Peter MacKay, Lifetime Achievement; and Fankie Flowers, Service to the Community.

Chris Duggan, on behalf of Dart, commented: “I was delighted to be a part of the evening session on Friday and to see the athletes competing; the parents, friends and family supporting and the many, many volunteers on deck officiating, timing and doing everything else that is needed for the meet to take place. A true community effort that Dart was proud to support.”

Rounding out the busy swim schedule was a 5K Open Water Swim which took place in near perfect conditions on Sunday, February 22nd. This swim also served as a CARIFTA qualifier and saw 20 swimmers take to the waters, all of them completing the four loops, each of 1,250m. First to cross the line were Stingray’s John Bodden (1:09.55) and first female, Catirona MacRae (1:13.33) … but special mention and a huge congratulations goes out to Jake Bailey (1:35.06), also of Stingray Swim Club who at 11 years old was the youngest swimmer completing the 5K swim with a strong finish.

CARIFTA Swimming 2015 takes place in Barbados this year. The Cayman Junior National Team will be announced at a Press Conference this week. Companies or individuals interested in partnering with CISASA in assisting Cayman’s Junior National Team should contact Michael Lockwood [email protected] or the CIASA Technical Director Bailey Weathers [email protected].

CIASA is a volunteer, not for profit association dedicated to furthering the interests of all aquatic sports in the Cayman Islands. CIASA is the recognized Governing Body of aquatic sports in the Cayman Islands and is a member of FINA, UANA, CCCAN and the CIOC. For more information on CIASA please visit www.ciasa.ky.