Sports
Swim Youngsters Thrive
Coach Dave Kelsheimermakes a presentation
Stingray Swim Club held their annual banquetat Hard Rock Café Sun May 27. Swim improvement was amplydemonstrated by all the badges and awards presented to the youngswimmers and the increased numbers of families showing their support.
A challenging 'Cayman Swim Trivia' gamestarted the evening. Stingray Club President Jim Fraser welcomedeveryone and C.I.A.S.A. President Shane Foster said the prayer.Both gave short after-dinner speeches about the pleasing directionof the sport of swimming in Cayman, in the past year and it'sbright future.
Coach Kelsheimer expressed his growing pridein the improvement of Cayman swimming, and appreciation for hisco-workers, both staff and parents. 2000-1 had been an especiallyexciting year, with 11 Olympic Medallists showing up at the poolto work with and inspire Cayman kids, all for free. From the maxed-outlearn-to-swim program, to local meets and up to World Cup levelcompetition, Cayman Swimming's reputation is emerging onto theworld stage.
Real world competition is one of the keyfactors, with Cayman Airways support, that provides the validationand inspiration for swimmers to keep training. Our older swimmersare blessed to be able to train at a high level at home, somethingunique to the Caribbean.
The year's worth of effort and record-keepingculminated in presentations of age-group motivational time badgesand certificates of achievement combined with coach's words ofpraise. Five of the youngest group, '6 and Unders', impressivelyobtained 'C' times with proficiency in all four strokes: VickyPhillip, Roberta Testori, Ella Booker, Claire Fletcher and SaiEccles. Despite 'aging up' many went on to blitz thru all 4 strokes(at least, many got IM badges also) , earning badges in both agegroups, at various distances. They were: Stephanie Hampson,TaylorRibbins, Ian McEvoy, Michael Testori, Joe Roberts, Duncan Aron,Jordan Bush, Harrison Foster
In the '8 and Unders' age group Abbie Booker, Michelle Philip,Biana Leacock, Kayla Thompson, and Janelle Foster all earned badgesin at least all four strokes.
Coaches Sarah Tristram , Dominic Ross andDave Kelsheimer gave out the awards.
Seniors are all expected to display properspirit, so no award is given.
A single impressive race performance createda need for a mini-coaches award. Coach Dominic Ross told of BrettFraser's break-thru performance at Carifta in his 200m freestyleevent.
The coveted Coaches Award went to KaitlynElphinstone for her 'continuous acts of courage' and continueddedication despite an injury plagued year.
Mike Barrowman and Vanessa Hansen also receivedspecial recognition for their help.