Swimming Federation names national swim team for OECS Championships

By Neto Baptiste
The Antigua and Barbuda Swimming Federation (ABSF) has selected a team of up to 34 swimmers, along with five alternates, to fly the country’s flag at the 34th Annual Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Swimming Championships in St Lucia next month.
The championships are scheduled for November 6 to 8 at the Rodney Heights Aquatics Centre, where Antigua and Barbuda’s swimmers will compete against their regional counterparts.
The swimming federation said in a press release the national team was selected primarily from performances at the recently concluded ABSF Invitational Meet at the Vipers Pool in Langford. Swimmers from four local clubs — Vipers Aquatics, Wadadli Aquatic Racers (WAR), Antigua Athletics Club Storm and Marlins Swim Club — competed at the meet, alongside swimmers from neighbouring islands.
Eligible overseas-based swimmers were also considered during the selection process.
Among the overseas-based athletes selected are Whittaker Gold, Charlotte Gold, Akasion Sheppard, Selah Wiltshire, Ethan Stubbs-Green and Olympian Jadon Wuilliez.
The selected swimmers will compete across eight age-group categories, from the 8-and-under division to the 18-and-over categories.
In the 8-and-under girls’ division, Whittaker Gold of Vipers and Hanna Gauducheau of Storm have been selected, with Kaylee McKie of Vipers named as an alternate. Toby Bento and Jordan Holborough, both of Vipers, will represent the boys’ division.
The 9–10 girls’ team comprises Isabel Nicholas of WAR, Charlotte Gold of Vipers, Anna Sukumaran of Vipers and Kaia Belle of WAR, with Mila Bento of Vipers as the alternate. Jalen Weste, Akasion Sheppard and Chris Oribia, all of Vipers, have been selected for the boys’ category, with Major Emanuel of Storm as the alternate.
Kaylee Warner of Vipers, Alyssa Watkins of Marlins, Elizabeth Sukumaran of Vipers and Jordin Howell of Vipers will contest the 11–12 girls’ division. Christopher Walter of WAR has been selected for the boys’ category, with Stephen Gardner of Vipers named as the alternate.
The 13–14 girls’ team consists of Anya Degannes, Willow Zreibi and Tori Hosam, all of Vipers. In the boys’ division, Vipers will be represented by Alessandro Bazzoni and Jamie Tranter, while N’yriq Weste and Tristan Nicholas will compete for WAR. Nathaniel Gold of Vipers is the alternate.
Madison MacMillan, Selah Wiltshire and Paradise Carlisle of Vipers, together with Elianna Spencer of WAR, will contest the 15–17 girls’ category. Antoine Christian of WAR and Jai Sindhi of Vipers have been selected for the boys’ division.
In the 18-and-over categories, Anisa Lewis and Devon Wuilliez, both of Storm, will represent the girls, while Jadon Wuilliez of Storm joins Neil Noronha and Manav Sindhi of Vipers in the boys’ team.
The Federation has ratified three coaches to accompany the delegation. Wayne Mitchell of Vipers will serve as head coach, assisted by J’air Smith of WAR and Terrel Bruno of Storm.
Kem Warner will manage the team, with Andrea Roberts-Nicholas serving as head chaperone. Andriette Sheppard, Kara Ann Spencer and Jason Weste will also support the delegation.