2019 Bahamas National Swimming Championships: Elvis Burrows, Margaret Higgs Shine

Photo Courtesy: UK Athletics

The 2019 Bahamas National Championships wrapped up on Sunday after a stellar four days of competition. A small but mighty country in the swim community, the Bahamas continues to improve while trying to force itself on the international scene. While no athletes managed to meet the World Championships individual qualifying standards, the island seems to be making strides in the right direction with competitive times across the board.

Thursday Finals:

Fourteen-year-old Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson ran away with the women’s 800 free, bettering her closest opponent’s mark by over fifty seconds with a 9:35.07. Hodari Prince dominated the men’s distance schedule, turning in an 18:44.39 for a decisive win.

Margaret Higgs came within striking distance of the World Championships qualifying standard, but failed to meet the mark with her winning 2:34.09. Andre Walcott faced a similar fate, clocking in at 2:30.88 for the win in the men’s division.

Ariel Weech broke up the monotony with a speedy backstroke lap, turning in a 29.74 for the win. Davante Carey dropped a 26.46 on the men’s side, claiming a decisive victory.

Katelyn Cabral posted a 1:05.80 for the women’s 100 fly championship. Davante Carey handled his quick event turnaround like a pro, clocking in at 55.54 for the men’s 100 fly win.

Alpha Aquatics stole the show in the women’s 200 free relay, as Jazmine Trotman, Virginia Stamp, Celia Campbell, and Ariel Weech combined forces to nab the gold. It was Kohen Kerr, Keith Lloyd, Tyler Russell, and Davante Carey of Mako Aquatics Club on the men’s side, as they stole the victory with a 1:36.61.

Friday Finals:

Kaliyah Albury stole the show in the women’s 400 IM, clocking in at 5:56.43 for the championship. Luke Thompson secured the bag on the men’s side, going 4:49.84 to claim his gold.

Joanna Evans nailed down her own championship in the 200 free, going 2:01.55 to leave the rest of the pack. Kohen Kerr furthered his impressive schedule with a 1:57.99 of his own, cinching the gold.

Ariel Weech’s 29.22 50 fly earned her a spot on the medal stand, while Vereance Burrows claimed top honors on the men’s side with a 24.73.

Margaret Higgs went 1:07.57 to take the women’s 100 back before Davante Carey secured the men’s victory with a 59.29.

Alpha Aquatics put forth a lethal combination in Celia Campbell, Ariel Weech, Virginia Stamp, and Jazmine Trotman for the women’s 400 medley relay win, clocking in at 4:50.40. Mako Aquatics claimed the win on the men’s side, going 3:58.82 with Davante Carey, Tyler Russell, Ian Pinder, and Kohen Kerr.

Saturday Finals:

Katelyn Cabral cinched the women’s 200 fly win with a 2:40.20, while Ian Pinder surged to a 2:11.81 first place finish on the men’s side.

Mako Aquatics Club continued to dominate the relays, with Davante Carey, Jamilah Hepburn, Ian Pinder, and Laura Morley claiming the mixed medley relay win.

Laura Morley (2:19.01) showed no signs of fatigue in her 200 IM, as she claimed the national championship with ease. Izaak Bastian (2:09.71) established his dominance on the men’s side.

Margaret Higgins (33.06) forced her name back on the scene with a win in the 50 breast, followed by Izaak Bastian’s (28.98) second championship of the night.

Joanna Evans flirted with the World Championships B standard, as she surged to a 57.53 finish in the women’s 100 free. Jared Fitzgerald also eclipsed the mark with his 51.29.

Alpha Aquatics continued its monopoly on women’s relays, crashing the pads with a 2:06.97 with its quartet of Celia Campbell, Virginia Stamp, Ariel Weech, and Jazmine Trotman. Mako Aquatics Club lived up to expectations on the men’s side, as Devante Carey, Kierro Stubbs, Ian Pinder, and Kohen Kerr dropped a 1:46.12 for the win.

Sunday Finals:

Anya MacPhail left the rest of the pack in the women’s 400 free, going 4:47.75 for the win. Luke Thompson showcased his skills with a 4:18.69, gaining a decisive victory on the men’s side.

Ariel Weech reestablished herself as one of the country’s top swimmers with a 27.27 50 free, followed by Vereance Burrows 23.33 for the men’s win.

Margaret Higgs continued to monopolize the breaststroke events, crashing the pads with a 1:10.18 to beat Lilly Higgs. Izaak Bastian struck once again with a 1:02.41 victory, bettering Luke Thompson’s mark by over five seconds.

Celia Campbell stole the women’s 200 back gold, clocking in at 2:33.69; while Peter Morley boasted a 2:16.51 victory on the men’s side.

Ariel Weech, Virginia Stamp, Jazmine Trotman, and Celia Campbell joined forced for Alpha Aquatics (4:10.36) to claim their final win in the women’s 400 free relay. As foretold by the heat sheets, their teammates Armando Moss, Jared Fitzgerald, Yvann Roy, and Luke Thompson made for an Alpha Aquatics sweep with a time of 3:34.92.

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