VI swimmers shine in Antigua
Virgin Islands swimmers posted multiple personal bests on Day 1 of the Vipers Invitational in Antigua, earning three second-place and six third-place finishes. Coach Rebecca M. Nockolds praised the athletes' confidence and said the meet is valuable preparation as they aim for OECS qualification later in the year.
Virgin Islands swimmers produced a strong opening day at the Vipers Invitational Swim Meet in Antigua on June 25, with several athletes recording personal best times and podium finishes, team coach Rebecca M. Nockolds told Virgin Islands News Online. "On night one, we saw several personal best times, and many athletes achieved new motivational time standards, which is always exciting," Nockolds said. "I’m extremely proud of the effort the athletes are putting in.
They are demonstrating strength and confidence in the pool while meeting and exceeding their goals for the meet." The coach added that the team earned three second-place finishes and six third-place finishes after the first night of competition. Top finishes — Day 1 (June 25): Harry Payne (Boys 11–12) – 400m Freestyle (5:32.57) and 50m Breaststroke (40.29) Gavril Copaceanu (Boys 9–10) – 400m Freestyle (6:35.59) William Vergel (Boys 9–10) – 400m Freestyle (6:47.67) Skylar Steer (Girls 9–10) – 50m Breaststroke (47.37) Evelyn Freeman (Girls 11–12) – 50m Breaststroke (42.74) Lily Carey (Girls 13–14) – 50m Breaststroke (43.62) Arun Bissoondutt (Boys 11–12) – 400m Freestyle (6:33.07) Toby Freeman (Boys 8 & Under) – 100m Freestyle (1:46.57) This is the Virgin Islands team's first appearance at the Vipers Invitational.
Nockolds said the competition offers valuable race experience against strong regional swimmers and helps build confidence ahead of the OECS Swimming Championships in November. "With two more days of racing on Friday and Saturday and many events still to come, we’re excited to see what the rest of the meet brings.
Our goal for the meet is for the athletes to continue enjoying the experience and to keep pushing for new personal bests," she said. The squad attending the meet includes: 8 & Under — Kamilah George (F), Toby Freeman (M); 9–10 — Naya Bissoondutt (F), Skylar Steer (F), William Vergel (M), Gavril Copaceanu (M); 11–12 — Hannah Kazembe (F), Evelyn Freeman (F), Orla Turner (F), Harry Payne (M), Arun Bisssoondutt (M); 13–14 — Lily Carey (F), Sophia Payne (F), Kyrique Matthew (M).
For BVI residents, the performances highlight growing depth in youth swimming and underscore local investment in competitive aquatic programs. The team’s focus now turns to building on this momentum through the remainder of the Antigua meet and into preparations for regional qualification later in the year.
Primary source: VINO