Cayman swimmers bring heat to Canada

L-R: Hew, Jackson, McCallum dress for the cold Canadian weather

It might have been cold enough to snow in Windsor, Ontario but Cayman’s swimmers brought their tropical heat to the WFCU Centre. Alex McCallum, Lauren Hew and Ali Jackson each swam personal best times for the events they competed in on day three of the FINA World Short Course Championships, Thursday, 8 December.

In the men’s 50-metre backstroke, McCallum touched the wall in 27.48 seconds. Although he finished seventh in his heat and 60th overall, it was a significant improvement on the times he did in the event previously. In the men’s 50-metre freestyle, he had another personal best with 24.14 seconds.

“I always feel proud representing Cayman overseas since we are such a small Island and it’s and honour to show everyone what we’re capable of doing,” McCallum said prior to the trip to Canada.

cayman-swimmers-snow

Ali Jackson, who like McCallum is competing in her first world championships, just missed out on breaking the Cayman Islands Amateur Swimming Association (CIASA) record when she swam the women’s 200-metre individual medley. She finished the event in 1:09.38. She was fourth in her heat, 48th overall.

Lauren Hew competed in the women’s 200-metre backstroke. She, too, had a lifetime best performance with a time of 2:16.59 as she won her heat but was 30th overall.

It’s been a good meet for the trio of Cayman Islands swimmers. On the opening day, Hew, 17, established new national and CIASA marks in the women’s 100-metre backstroke and 200-metre freestyle. A day later, Jackson and Hew set new CIASA and Cayman Islands national records in the 100-metre freestyle.

They appear to have taken on board the words of encouragement offered by CIASA President Mike Lockwood before they set off for Canada – to “have fun and swim fast!” Jackson, 14, got a new experience outside of the pool. She saw snow in person for the first time.

Photos courtesy CIASA.

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  1. Pingback: Swimmers complete successful world championships – Cayman Sports Buzz

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