The Tribune

SWIFT swimmers had some outstanding performances at several top meets in the United States this past weekend.

Leading the group was locally registered Swift swimmer, Olympic finalist and national record holder Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, who won the 50 metre (long course) free in 25.55 at the Arena Grand Prix Swim Meet in Orlando, Florida.

The Arena meet series attracts some of the top swimmers in the world while showcasing some of the top Olympic swimmers.

Vanderpool-Wallace also finished 3rd in the 100 metre free (LC) in 55.41 and 6th in the 100 metre butterfly (LC) in 1:01.32. She now trains with the Mecklenburg Aquatic Club (MAC) under the watchful eye of US Olympic coach David Marsh.

Also at the Orlando meet was Joanna Evans, who broke into the finals with a new national record and 8th place finish in the 400 metre free (LC), swimming a time of 4:20.69. Evans also broke the national record in the 800 metre free (LC) with a 8:57.04 for a 9th place finish.

Andy Loveitt, who works with Evans in Grand Bahama, accompanied Evans to the meet and was able to spend time with several other Bahamian athletes.

Several other Swift swimmers had a big impact on the US stage.

Dustin Tynes is the state champion for Tennessee in the 100 yard breast with a time of 55.77, which was also a new personal best time. Tynes also helped his Baylor High School team to a 1st in the 200 yard medley relay where he split a 24.83 in the 50 breast which helped the relay set a new national public and independent high school record. Tynes split a 21.45 in the 50 yard free as part of the 200 yard free relay.

Dionisio Carey was 5th in the 100 yard back at the Virginia State Championships in 53.12, also a new personal best. Carey also swam a personal best in the 200 yard IM in 2:03.61, and had a 50-yard back relay split of 24.17 on the medley relay.

Also swimming at the Tennessee State Championships with personal best times were Leslie Campbell and Tremaine Allen.

Campbell swam to personal bests in the 50 yard free in 24.71, finishing 15th in the B final and 100-yard free in 54.99 and Allen was in the 200-yard IM with a 2:23.73. Campbell also obtained the prestigious automatic All-American honours for her contribution to a first in the girls’ 200-yard free relay where she split a 24.36. She also split a 26.34 in the 50-yard fly as part of a second place finish for the girls’ 200-yard medley relay.

Swift is proud to have those kinds of performances from its swimmers abroad as it is a good indication of what to expect on the international scene as they represent the Bahamas.