Blue Marlins Swim Club upstaged perennial champions- Black Sands Swim Squad, to win the Gallagher Invitational Swim Championships, held at the Shrewsbury Aquatic Centre from 16th to 19th February.
Blue Marlins amassed 1635.5 points to outpoint Black Sands who tallied 1364.5 points.
It was Blue Marlins’ first major team title.
The feat was well celebrated as members did a congo line around the pool, popped champagne and blew whistles.
Rickydene Alexander, Head Coach at the Blue Marlins Swim Club, told the VINCENTIAN, that it was a “well deserved” title.
“I am overwhelmed with winning the title… We worked hard, and for most of the swimmers they have improved and are able to do more events now,” Alexander highlighted.
Whilst basking in the new attainment, Alexander is cognizant that their main rival will bounce back but according to him, “We know we have to work harder, and we plan to do just that.”
In addition to winning their maiden title, Blue Marlins secured most of the individual age group titles.
Winning the Girls 8 and Under was Kmar Rose with 69 points, and her colleague Saj Caesar totaled 90 points to claim the Boys 8 and Under title.
Belle Adams champed the Girls 9-10 title, tallying 126 points, with Caghry Williams winning the Boys segment with 126 points.
More success came Blue Marlins’ way in the 11-12 age group as Tayeah St Hilaire scored 108 points to close out the Girls title and Jadon Hamilton took the Boys, with 126 points.
Blue Marlins reigned supreme in the 13-14 age group, with Zaryah Samuel- 98 points and Hazen Dabriel- 96 points, copping the Girls and Boys titles respectively.
The two age group titles to elude Blue Marlins were taken by the Black Sands Swim Squad’s duo of Kennice Greene and Kenale Alleyne. Greene with 91 points topped the Female 15 and over, while Alleyne – 84 points, took the male title.
The 9-12 Sprint 0Challenge saw double champions as St Hilaire took the Girls title and Hamilton- the Boys.
Both Greene and Alleyne were the 13 and Over Sprint Challenge champions.
In the sprint Challenge, Black Sands’ Nua Griffith won the Girls 8-and-Under, while Marlins’ Saj Caesar did the double by taking the Boys category.
Seven new records were set, during the three-day championship.