Linden Wickham, Ronaldo Rodrigues, Niall Roberts and Jessica Stephenson will all be participating in the 2008 Junior Carifta Games from March 27-31 in Aruba, thanks to the generosity of Cara Lodge and Scotia Bank.
The two companies officially agreed last Saturday to cover all the expenses of the four swimmers so that they will be able to participate in the prestigious regional championships two weeks from now.
One of the four swimmers, Jessica Stephenson, told Stabroek Sport that she is looking forward to breaking the Carifta record in the 200 yards breaststroke which currently stands at 2:51s.
The 12-year-old who is currently based in Trinidad has been working towards competing in this event for almost a year. She is attached to the Marlins Swim Club in the twin island republic, and has been following an intense training programme under the coaching of Trinidadian Franz Huggins.
Her programme entails 15 hours swim-training per week along with 2 mornings per week of dry training which includes running, squats, abdominals and other aerobic exercises.
Jessica has recorded a personal best of 2:58.26s in the 200 yards which was not only good enough to be considered an ‘A’ class time in Trinidad and Tobago but it would put her in medal contention according to the Carifta times recorded in the event last year.
“This is my first time at the Carifta Games but I am very confident that I can break the 200 yards breaststroke record, because it is my favourite event and I have worked really hard toward getting to where I am now,” she said.
Jessica’s mother Davina Stephenson, who will be the team manager said that after her daughter’s coach in Trinidad recognized her talent, he immediately began training her with the specific intention of competing in this year’s Carifta Games.
Stabroek Sport also understands that Stephenson who is part-owner of the Cara Hotels also helped in acquiring the sponsorship agreement with Scotia Bank. She mentioned that she knew how important it is for top athletes to gain exposure in regional events, since it is a necessary component in their development and this motivated her to give her daughter and the other three top swimmers the assistance needed to participate.
“Cara Hotels are a regional establishment, we have hotels in Guyana and Trinidad and just as this is a regional championships and we have support throughout the region we saw it fit to give some of the best Guyanese swimmers a chance to compete as this is the only way they can get an idea of where they stand among regional competition.
“So it not only gives the company mileage but it also aids the development of the athletes and that is what I think also brought Scotia Bank on stream after we approached them,” she said.
The other GSA swimmers who will be participating have all dominated locally in recent times.
Roberts will be taking part in the boys’ 15-17 100 yards freestyle and butterfly and will be entering the event with qualifying times of 59.88s and 1:03.46 respectively.
Ronaldo Rodrigues will be competing in the boys’ 11-12 200 yards breaststroke, 50 yards freestyle, 50 yards butterfly and 200 yards individual medley.
Breaststroke specialist Linden Wickham will be competing in the boys’ 13-14 100 yards freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and 200 yards breaststroke.
Wickham and Rodrigues were awarded as age group champions at the GASA swimming awards for their dominance at the 2007 GASA National Championships, while Roberts who had just entered the 15-17 age group was runner-up to champion swimmer Orlando McRae.
