In Saturdays finals of the Florida Gold Coast Winter Championships Jamaicans added another two first place finishes to their tally and claimed three of the top nine places in two events. Alia Atkinson (Fort Lauderdale Swim Team – FLST) and Brad Hamilton (Jamaica National Swim Squad - NSS) followed their impressive performances on Friday by winning their 50 yard Freestyle events in fine style.

While Hamilton swam away with the final of the 11-12 Boys 50 yard Freestyle in a personal best and 4A time of 24.58, two other Jamaicans Alford Green (Jamaica National Squad) and Robert Chen (Tornadoes Swim Club) also swam personal best times of 26.23 (3A) and 26.29 (3A) to take eight and ninth place. Although not finishing in the top three, Raine Paulson-Andrews (Canes) swam 24.34 to lead three Jamaicans in the final of the 15-16 50 yard Freestyle. Allison Bardowell (FLST) swam 25.62 and Khaliliah Robinson (NSS) 25.73 to place seventh and eight respectively.

Alia Atkinson’s sprint in the 11-12 50 yard Freestyle was yet another fine swim as she powered home in an exciting finish, winning with 4A time of 25.41 just touching out Emily Kasmer (KJSA) who swam 25.57. Kasmer returned the favor in the 50 yard Backstroke as she won the event in 29.07 ahead of Atkinson who finish fourth, just a second behind in 30.19.

After the 50 Y Free, Hamilton had impressed again in the 200 yard Individual Medley by swimming a personal best time of 2:18.66, but could only manage fourth. Sunrise Swim Club’s Jeff Raymond who swam a fantastic Top 16 time of 2:10.95 won the event.

Other Jamaican results:

Boys 15-16 50 Yard Freestyle - 5^th Atkinson, Adi 22.71

Men 50 Yard Freestyle

  1^st  Vythoulkas, Chris (Bahamas)   21.70

  6^th  Atkinson, Jevon     22.31

Men 100 Yard Backstroke - 10^th Atkinson, Jevon 56.94

Girls 15-16 200 Yard IM -  10^th  Bardowell, Allison  2:18.55

Girls 15-16 100 Yard Backstroke - 9^th Bardowell, Allison 1:04.17

December 8th 2001

JAMAICANS ADD 2 MORE GOLDS AT FLORIDA GOLD COAST CHAMPS