Zerpa dominates age group at ASATT invitational

YOUNG Grenadian swimming sensation Eli Zerpa added a third freestyle title to his rack of medals at the conclusion of morning session at the Amateur Swimming Association of TT’s (ASATT) Invitational Championship, yesterday.

The competition, which ended with the evening session at the National Aquatic Centre, Couva, finished after press time. By then, Zerpa, who represents Sailfish Swim Academy, secured the Boys 13-14 400m freestyle gold, touching the wall in 4 minutes, 35.33 seconds. The 400m gold complemented his 100m and 200m freestyle titles which he won earlier in the competition. Zerpa also previously picked up gold medals in the 200m individual medley and the 200m backstroke as well as a silver in the 50m backstroke.

Meanwhile, Marlins’ Zoe Anthony continued to add to her multitude of gold medals in the Girls 11-12 division with victories in the 400m freestyle (4:58.42) and 200m individual medley (2:38.17).

The Boys 11-12 division saw TT national youth swimmer Zarek Wilson and Nikoli Blackman share the spoils on the podium. Wilson won his second freestyle gold in the competition with a time of 4:22.61, not far off his own 4:21.16 record, while Blackman placed second in 4:27.49. Wilson earlier won the 200m freestyle, as well as three gold medals in the butterfly events, one of which included national record breaking mark in the 200m distance. He also claimed victory and a new record in the 50m backstroke, and further gold medals in the 200m backstroke, 400m IM and 100m freestyle.

In the following 200m IM, Blackman got the edge for gold, clocking 2:22.21, just ahead of Wilson’s 2:22.25 effort. Wilson added his 400m freestyle gold to his earlier 200m.

Among yesterday’s other 200m IM winners in their respective divisions were Harmoni Nelson (Girls 8 & Under, 3:16.01); Keryn Burke (Girls 9-10, 2:50.79); Anneliese Merry (Girls 15 & Over, 2:34.17); Rylan Thomas (Boys 8 & Under, 3:06.69); Antoine Destang (Boys 9-10, 2:40.38); and Josiah Parag (15 & Over, 2:14.69). Edwards also won gold in the Girls 15 & Over 400m freestyle, while Jada Chatoor claimed the Girls & Over 400m freestyle gold. Liam Trepte clocked 4:35.93 to win the Boys 15 & Over freestyle.