Bahamas top Goodwill Swimming Champs, Jamaica second
Published:Monday | August 21, 2023 | 12:09 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
The Bahamas, led by their Jamaican coach, Dell Brown, topped the Goodwill Swimming Championships at the National Aquatics Centre in Kingston yesterday ahead of hosts Jamaica.
The Bahamians topped both the male and female sections, respectively, to claim the championship with 1,418.50 points. Jamaica took second place with 1,143.50 while Trinidad and Tobago (970.50) ended third and Barbados (739.50) fourth.
Jamaica dominated the relays on yesterday’s final day, claiming five of the 12 relays, with Trinidad and Tobago and Bahamas winning three each.
However, they only had two winners on the day in Renae Chung, who took the girls’ 13-14 100m butterfly in a meet record 1.11. 38 while teammate Gabrielle Hamilton (11.13.60) was second.
Julian Willoughby continued his good showing at the meet with another gold medal and meet record in the boys’ 13-14 100m butterfly. Willoughby clocked 1.03.59 for the win.
Jamaica coach Gillian Millwood was very positive despite finishing in the runner-up spot.
“Of course we came with the intention to win, but I can’t fault anybody. The kids did well. This was their best, and we couldn’t ask for more from these kids,” she said.
Jamaica won nearly half of the relay events, winning the girls’ 9-10, 200m freestyle in 2.07.24, the girls’ 11-12 200m freestyle in 2.04.16, the girls’ 13-14 200m freestyle in 1.57.33, the boys’ 13-14 equivalent in 1.45.05 and the girls’ 15-17 in 1.56.97.
Millwood added: “It’s at home, and it is a big deal. It was an honour to coach this set of kids. All of them did a really good job of improving themselves. I am very pleased and excited for their future. It looks bright,” she said.
Bahamas coach Brown said their hard work and sacrifice paid off.
“This is major. We did a lot of work. Gave up the summer and came here with one goal in mind, and that was to come out on top,” he said.
“Our intention was to make a point in every session, which we did. We led from out the gate ,and from there on, it was a landslide, and we didn’t have any mercy because we wanted to win.
“We came fifth last year, and this year we came for the top spot, which we got. So I am proud of everyone” said the Jamaican native.