Potter, Carey make strong Day 1 showing
Kyla M. Potter and Lily A. Carey represented the British Virgin Islands at the 5th PanAm Aquatics Swimming Championships in Ibagué, Colombia (July 8–12, 2026) and finished Day 1 on a high note, VINO reports. Both swimmers competed in Heat 1 of the Girls 13–15 100m breaststroke, handled the altitude well after two days of training, and gained additional insights from a PanAm clinic on nutrition and fueling.
The British Virgin Islands were represented by Kyla M. Carey at the 5th PanAm Aquatics Swimming Championships in Ibagué, Colombia, held from July 8–12, 2026. The territory’s entries and travel plans were first confirmed in a June report by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), which also noted that Coach Rebecca M.
VINO published an update after Day 1 of competition saying both athletes finished the opening day on a high note. According to the site's report and the coach’s end‑of‑day feedback, Potter and Carey raced in Heat 1 of the Girls 13–15 100m breaststroke and demonstrated solid race execution, composure and determination against some of the top age‑group swimmers from across the Americas.
Coach Nockolds’ report to VINO highlighted a specific challenge the team faced: the meet’s high altitude. The swimmers spent two days training at altitude before racing, which the coach said helped them acclimate and prepare. That preparation, coupled with calm race management, contributed to what VINO described as a confident start to the championships for the BVI duo.
After the morning session, Coach Nockolds and the athletes attended a PanAm Aquatics educational clinic that focused on nutrition and appropriate fueling strategies for training and competition. Nockolds told VINO that the session was valuable, saying it provided information to support athlete performance and recovery throughout the championships.
The clinic attendance underlines the broader learning opportunities available at continental events, beyond the pool itself. Having a coach on site remains a key advantage for young athletes on the international stage. Nockolds’ presence enabled tailored warmups, technical feedback between sessions and immediate race debriefs — all important for development.
VINO also noted that such events offer chances for coaches to network with counterparts from other countries, potentially creating future training exchanges or support pathways for the BVI swimming programme. Participation at continental meets is an important milestone for Potter and Carey.
Racing against a wider field helps build confidence, exposes swimmers to different racing styles and raises the territory’s profile in regional age‑group competition. Local coaches and officials can observe continental standards firsthand and bring those lessons back home to support the next generation of BVI swimmers.
BVI Live will continue to monitor results and provide updates as more information and official times are posted through federation channels and swim clubs. We join VINO in wishing Kyla Potter and Lily Carey continued strong swims and safe travels as they compete in Ibagué.
Primary source: VINO