MARCH 29, 2003

THE ASAJ NAMES SEVENTEEN SWIMMERS TO COMPETE IN THE FIRST CARIFTA SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING COMPETITION

The Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica (ASAJ) has named seventeen swimmers to represent Jamaica at the CARIFTA Swimming Championships April 19-21, 2003. This is the first time that Synchronized Swimming will be a part of CARIFTA and it is expected that at least three countries; Jamaica, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, will participate in the competition.

The swimmers will compete in three Age Groups: 12 and Under, 13-15 and 16-18. Jamaica strongest swimmers will compete in the 13-15 age group with Nicole Chin Shue, Yasmin Eyre, Rebecca Wong and Emily Eyre all having previous competing at the 2002 Caribbean Island Swimming Championships where they won a Bronze Medal. With the number of swimmer participating in synchronized swimming increasing, good performances are expected from the new National Synchro Swimmers.

Aruba is expected to provide the stiffest competition for the Jamaicans as the Arubans have dominated Caribbean Synchronized Swimming in recent years.

The ASAJ has selected Katherine Lim Sang as the National Coach for CARIFTA and Michelle McIntyre as the Assistant Coach. Ann Silvera will manage the Synchronized Swimming Team.

The seventeen swimmers selected are:

12 and under	13 to 15 years	16 to 18 years
Nicholene Bryan Michelle-Ann Gabbadon Ashlei Gayle Jessica Lim Sang Marissa Webber Tahira Scott-Anderson Kathryn Williams	Jhanelle Adams Stephanie Barrett Gillian Belnavis Nicole Chin Shue Emily Eyre Yasmin Eyre Rebecca Wong	Ilia Gayle Jean-Ann James Candene Myers