Y SPEEDOS AND MARLIN SWIMMERS RETURN TO THE ISLAND AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPETITION

A contingent of 12 swimmers from the Y SPEEDOS and Marlins Swim Clubs who participated in the TORNEO INTERNACIONAL DELFIN DE ORO in Panama City, Panama will return to the island today after a successful tournament.

Led by National Representatives Matthew Hilton and Donovan Todd, the Y SPEEDOS Swim Club mined 4 gold and 4 bronze medals on their way to placing 10^th overall from among 32 clubs participating at the meet. Hilton with 3 gold medals and 1 bronze placed 2^nd overall for the Male 13-14 high point trophy, while young Robert Marshall won Jamaica’s only other gold medal when he placed 1^st in the 50M Breast stroke for 8 and Under boys. Todd won bronze in the 200 Meter back stroke ahead of team mate Matthew Hilton. Hilton and Todd however, later teamed up with fellow club mates Dane Todd and Dwayne Powell to take home bronze in the both the Male 13-14, 400 Meter Medley and Freestyle Relays.

The Marlins Swim Club led by excellent performances from 8 and Under age group swimmer, Sidrell Williams placed 18^th overall at the tournament. Williams, took home 3 silvers and 1 bronze, and placed 2^nd overall for the Male 8 and Under high point trophy.

There were several other creditable performances from the Jamaicans particularly Kristen Jones of the Marlins and Daniel Harris of the Speedos who consistently finished in the final 8 through out the tournament. According to National Assistant Coach Linval Lowe who accompanied the team as Head Coach;

“We have come away from this competition with valuable experience and given the small size of our teams making the trip, our final placements in the tournament is a testament to the focus and hard work of the swimmers”

Several of the swimmers used the competition as valuable preparation for the 2006 CARIFTA Team Selection and will next be in action early in 2006 at the ASAJ sponsored development meet at the National Stadium Pool.

Lurline Todd

Team Manager

(876) 771-9419