CARIFTA swimmers splash off with 11 medals

Team Barbados won 11 medals, including three gold yesterday, the opening night of the 36th CARIFTA Aquatics Championships in Curacao.

Heidi Stoute won gold in the 13-14 girls’ 800m freestyle (no official times available); Adara Stoddard took gold in the 15-17 girls 200m backstroke and the 13-14 girls’ 4x100m relay team was also in winner’s row.

There were three silver medals, all in the 11-12 age category. Zachary Burke won two in the 50m backstroke and 100m butterfly and Amiya Harrison was second in the 200m breaststroke.

After dominating the 11-12 last year at home, Jaiya Simmons stepped up to the 13-14 and won one  of the team's five bronze medals, competing in the 100m butterfly. A similar finish in the same event earned Stoddard her second medal in the older age group.

Also earning bronze were Amelie Baker in the 15-17 girls’ 800m free, Amiya Harrison in the 11-12 girls’ 50m backstroke and the 11-12 girls’ 400m relay quartet.

The second evening of finals will be held today.  (SAT)