Thirty-four swimmers of the Grenada National Swim Team leave the island on 7 November 2024, to compete in the 32nd OECS Swimming Championships, which will be held at the Shrewsbury Aquatic Centre, Ratho Mill, St Vincent.
The 34-member team comprises athletes of the age groups 8 and Under, to 18 and Over. The meet will be in Short Course Metres, and will include events in all of the 4 strokes: Freestyle,Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly, along with Medley Relays, and Individual Medleys.
While most of the team have previously competed at the OECS Championship, and other regional and international meets, there are several new additions. Among these are in the 8 and Under Girls: Brianne De Roche, Halle Gooding and Sydney Joseph, and 8 and Under Boys: Keshon Cobb and Layth St John; 11 to 12 Boys, Patrick Dowden and 13 to 14 Boys, Mark Mitchell and Caleb Williams.
The other members of the team are Gabrielle Hyson, Anaika Otway, Jenebi Benoit and Zackary Gresham of the 18 and Over age group; Tilly Collymore, Sara Dowden, Nina James, Mallon Paterson, Nathan Fletcher and Tevin Duncan-Grappy of the 15 to 17, Kristen Gresham, Zeia Ollivierre Maggie Watson, Jacob Collymore, and Jaaziel Francis of the 13 to 14, Nataly Escobar, Soriya Stewart, Eliza-Rose Benjamin and Ethan Chu Fook of the 11 to 12. The 9 to 10s are Konna-Marie Munroe, Faith Watson, Angeliner Jackson-Bain, Evie Twum Barima, Mateo Thomas and Ethan Gunpot. The 8 and Under is Ethan Clermont Williams.
Coaches Gerson Escobar and Chris Regis will be accompanying the team, along with Diane Hopkin and Chad Hyson as Team Managers, and several other officials.
Since the naming of the team in early October, Team Grenada has engaged in intense preparation for competition, and has its sights on regaining the championship title. In 2023, Grenada was named the joint champion with Antigua; however, in an unexpected turn of events, the competition officials later announced a recalculation of the scores and declared Antigua as the OECS winner.
Minister of Sports Delma Thomas visited the team during its annual team breakfast and training session last Sunday. Minister Thomas said to the team, “Your best is what we ask of you as you go out to represent Grenada. Do so proudly knowing we are supporting you.” Minister Thomas further stated Government’s commitment to the establishment of the long overdue aquatic centre which is on the horizon.
The Grenada Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) extends gratitude to the Ministry of Sports for its contribution towards the team’s participation at the championships.
GASA
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