Wildey, Barbados – The Bahamas finished the first day of competition as they look to four-peat. They lead the other 17 countries in the combined scores and are sixth in the medal standings.
The Bahamas currently leads the field with 224 points, ahead of second place Jamaica with 198.50 points. Sitting in third place with 176.50 points is the Cayman Islands.
In the medal count, The Bahamas sits in sixth place with 15 medals – two golds, four silver and nine bronze. Cayman Islands lead the way with seven gold, six silvers and one bronze. Jamaica has 16 total medals.
Caden Wells won the first gold medal for The Bahamas in the 200 meters (m) breaststroke in 2:52.15 when he began to pull away from the pool with 75 meters remaining in the race. After the final turn, Wells left no doubt that he will win the race he kept pulling away from the other seven swimmer to touched the wall first.
Winning the final gold medal of the night for The Bahamas in dramatic fashion was the quartet of Wells, Donald Saunders, Zion Gibson-Darville and Caleb Ferguson. The won the gold in the 13-14 boys 4x100m relay with a time of 3:46.77. Ferguson anchored the team and though Trinidad and Tobago was ahead when took off into the pool, he separated himself before the final 50 meters as he held on to bring the gold home for his team and Team Bahamas.
The Bahamas then went on to win silver and bronze in the 11-12 girls 100m butterfly. Winning the silver was Saleste Gibson who clocked 1:10.49. Lelah Lewis swam 1:11.36 to take home the bronze medal.
The 17-15 boys 100m butterfly was a very hyped race and as expected Nigel Forbes and Marvin Johnson put on a show. Forbes could not hold on as he settled for the silver medal with a time of personal best 56.26 seconds. Johnson who swam out of lane seven made his presence felt as he swam a personal best of 56.28 seconds.
Action continues Sunday with the 200m freestyle at 9 a.m. The meet is streamed on Barbados Amateur Swimming Association (BASA) Facebook page.
Medal winners from day one of competition
Gold Medals
Caden Wells – 13-14 boys 200m breast – 2:32.15
13-14 boys 4x100m free relay (Caden Wells, Donald Saunders, Zion Gibson-Darville, Caleb Ferguson) – 3:46.77
Silver medals
Saleste Gibson – 11-12 girls 100m fly – 1:10.49
Nigel Forbes – 15-17 boys 100m fly – 56.26 seconds
11-12 girls 4x100m free relay (Lelah Lewis, Trinity Pratt, Christin-Alyssa Clarke, Saleste Gibson) – 4:29.74
15-17 boys 4x100m free relay (Nigel Forbes, Tristin Ferguson, Jake Thompson, Marvin Johnson) – 3:34.53
Bronze medals
Erin Pritchard – 13-14 girls 800m free – 10:52.75
Jack Barr – 15-17 boys 1500m free – 16:47.58
Tia-Isabella Adderley – 13-14 girls 200m breast – 2:56.19.
Rhanishka Gibbs – 15-17 girls 200m breast – 2:51.94
Emmanuel Gadson – 15-17 boys 200m breast – 2:27.99
Lelah Lewis – 11-12 girls 100m fly – 1:11.36
Marvin Johnson – 15-17 boys 100m fly – 56.28 seconds
11-12 boys 4x100m free relay (Dijon Simmons, David Singh, William Farrington, Noah Knowles) – 4:19.49
15-17 girls 4x100m free relay (Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson, Rachel Lundy, Keianna Moss, Delaney Mizell) – 4:02.59
