TT to field 35 participants at inaugural Carifta Champs

Trinidad and Tobago will field a squad of 35 participants at the inaugural CARIFTA Games Triathlon, Aquathlon and Relay Championships, which will take place on the weekend of October 7 and 8 at the Barbados Aquatic Centre in Wildey, Barbados.

The team will comprise 20 male and 15 female entrants, who will compete in their respective age groups (11-12, 13-15 and 16-19).

Under the guidance of coaches Derrick Simon, Alison Elliott and Angelo Clarke, the national squad is engaged in fortnightly training sessions at the Marlins Swim Pool in Westmoorings.

Rachel Grosberg, Gabrielle Ramesar, Kristin Scott and Noa Shepherd were the quartet named in the 16-19 female category, while the 13-15 female group will feature Amy Pounder, Ashleigh Scott, Jada Doopan, Jorja Jalim, Kaya Rankine-Beadle and Kirsten St Omer.

The 11-12 female bunch will comprise of Imani Bishop, Makaira Wallace, Mekelle Cedeno, Rihanna Morris and Taylor Camacho.

Doopan is the lone aquathlon participant named among the females.

In the 16-19 male group, Ayomide Gilbert-Semper, Dario Omiss, Hayden Reid and Jonathan Thompson (triathlon), as well as Logan Raymond, Selik Leacock and Tyrese Bernard (aquathlon).

The persons selected for both the 11-12 and 13-15 male sections will be strictly involved in aquathlon – Darrian Nimblett, Chad Hosein, Ethan Miller, Liam Trepte, Mathew Worthman, Rowan King, Samuel Rudden (13-15); Luke Ferreira, Alec Mendes, Danial Shaw, David Archer, James Castagne-Hay and Justin Boynes (11-12).

Several members of the team tested their fitness at the Subway Maracas Open Water Classic on Sunday. Raymond, Shepherd, St Omer and Bishop were some of the athletes that competed. Raymond was one of the top performers at the event, finishing fourth in the 1000-metre 13 and Over category swim in 15 minutes and 26 seconds.

President of the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT) Wendell Lai Hing, said local events such as the Maracas Open Water helps form teams to compete at regional events. “Maracas Open Water is a staple on the ASATT calender and Subway has commited to it and we know it is going to be ongoing. However, we have Carifta next year in Jamaica and we also have CCCAN in Aruba. These (Maracas Open Water) are events that we are trying to have. (We want) more athletes to be part of the open water swim so we could field full teams going to these tournaments,” Lai Hing said.