‘Y’ Speedos top Dean Martin Classic

THE ‘Y’ Speedos Swim Club came out overall winners with 615 points at this year’s Dean Martin Memorial AB Long Course Swim Classic, which was held at the National Aquatics Centre on Saturday.

The meet was the season opener for the Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica (ASAJ) and scored using the 2013-16 Motivational Age Group Time Standards.

A number of swimmers signalled their intention to join the national age group swim team by posting AA and higher times. These time standards guide the contestants from just starting out in their age group to reaching their highest potential.

The standard is designed to encourage age group swimmers to step up their swimming to Caribbean and international standards.

Meanwhile, Christanya Shirley of the Marlins Swim Club was a standout among the respective age groups. A total of 27 records were broken, with Shirley accounting for five and posting five AAAA times in as many events. She was awarded the high achiever award for her age group.

Other AAAA performers include Josh Johnson of Marlins Swim Club, Emily MacDonald of Swimaz Aquatic Swim Club and Zaneta Alvaranga of ‘Y’ Speedos Swim Club.

The ‘Y’ Speedos Swim Club 13-14 boys also set a national age group record in the 200m medley relay on Saturday.

Other local swimmers who attained the Carifta qualifying standard AA and above are Orane Garicks of Marlins Swim Club, Britney Williams of Swimaz Aquatic Swim Club and Keith-Jordan Wilkinson of Marlins Swim Club.

The next event on the ASAJ’s calendar will be the Walter Lowi Swim Meet on November 19, where swimmers will have another chance to battle for the coveted times to make the national development squad.