Ten young swimmers from the Blue Marlins Swim Club represented St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the recently concluded Sonia O’Neal Memorial (ACII) 2026 Swim Meet in Barbados, delivering impressive performances and returning home with medals, personal bests and national records.
The regional competition, formerly known as the Aquatic Centre Invitational, was held from May 21 to 24 and featured swimmers from across the Caribbean competing in a challenging 50-metre pool format.
Representing the Blue Marlins Swim Club in the 8-and-under division were Rui Gordon, Raya Adams and Jayce Thomas.
Xyon Sealey-Nicholls and Saige Jobe competed in the girls 9-10 category, while Zoey May, Skylar Byron, Taj Henry and Saj Caesar represented the club in the 11-12 division.
Belle Adams was the club’s senior swimmer, competing in the girls 13-14 age category.
According to the club, every swimmer recorded personal best times during the meet, despite the demanding nature of long-course competition.
Two swimmers also earned podium finishes with third-place high points trophies in their respective divisions.
Young swimmer Jayce Thomas secured third place in the boys 8-and-under category during what was his first-ever 50-metre competition.
Thomas also broke three St. Vincent and the Grenadines national long-course records in the 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke and 50m breaststroke.
The club noted that the previous 50m butterfly record had been held by Hazen Da Briel since 2018, while the 50m backstroke and breaststroke records had recently been set by Zane Da Briel earlier this year.
Belle Adams was the other Blue Marlins swimmer to secure a third-place high points trophy, placing among the top swimmers in the girls 13-14 division.
Collectively, the Blue Marlins team earned more than 40 medals during the competition and finished 10th overall.
The swimmers were coached by Tamarah St. Hilaire and Alyssa Davis.
Coach St. Hilaire praised the determination and development shown by the swimmers throughout the competition.
She said she was proud of the team’s “fire and grit” in the pool and highlighted the continued growth being displayed by the athletes at each regional competition.
The coach also thanked parents for their continued support and for ensuring the swimmers receive valuable regional exposure.
St. Hilaire also congratulated the other Vincentian swim teams that participated in the Barbados meet.