The Tribune

FOUR-member Team Bahamas continues in competition at the 27th University Games in Kazan, Russia.

Armando Moss and Evante Gibson competed in the 100 free on day four amongst a field of 88 swimmers. They were both in heat five, in lanes four and two respectively. Moss finished second in a time of 52.99 seconds, just short of his personal best and Gibson finished eighth in 56.32.

Bria Deveaux took to the 100m fly, swimming out of heat two lane four. She finished fifth with a personal best long course time of 1:03.61. “This was a personal best for Bria, she looked great in her race is swimming well and ready for tomorrow’s 50 back. Armando swam exceedingly well given his recent shoulder surgery. He was 0.5 seconds off his best time and he feels great about his swim. He is working on getting a better start off these unfamiliar blocks for his 50 free on Monday.

“Evante swam well and is holding his own despite his busy competition schedule. He has two races left and is focused on finishing the meet with strong performances in both,” said coach Stacy Bradley of Team Bahamas’ debut performance.

Each of the four competed on day one but failed to advance beyond the preliminary round.

The women’s duo were the first to compete, in heat three of the 50m fly. Ariel Weech finished first in 28.63, 30th overall while Deveaux was fifth in 29.30, 35th overall.

The men also took part in the 50 fly. Gibson swam in heat five, lane seven and finished sixth in 26.14, 48th overall. Moss finished second in a time of 26.32 in heat five, 50th overall.

On the sixth day of the games, and second day since the swimming segment began, Gibson will compete in the 200m IM, while Weech and Deveaux take part in the 100 metre freestyle.

The University Games have evolved to be the Olympic Games for university students and there are over 12,000 athletes participating in just about all of the Olympic disciplines at the 2013 Games in Kazan.

Weech, who recently won the runner-up high point trophy at the 2013 Royal Bank of Canada National Swimming Championships, carried the Bahamas’ flag during the opening ceremony on July 7.

Stacey Bradley, head coach of the Sea Waves of Grand Bahama, is the team’s head coach and Sheena Deveaux the team manager.