Nationals Schools Championships: Excitement unfolds in swimming showdown

The National Aquatic Centre was filled with jubilation as the swimming segment of the 61st National Cycling, Swimming, and Track and Field Championships went down on Monday, which saw the nation’s best student-athletes and teachers in action.
Kyra Soars and Jeremy Sonogram started their campaign on a high, storming to first in the Boys and Girls 16 and Under 100 SC Meters Backstroke. Allen Jasmine and Esau Domingo and Ronaldo Williams and Unisia Fredericks rounded out the podium.
The Boys and Girls 18 and Under 100 SC Meters Backstroke saw Zara Crane from East Georgetown District and Paul Mahaica from North Georgetown clinching first place followed by Alecia Hunte and Renaldo Smith in second. Settling for third place were Reanna Stellingburg and Ashton Simons.
The Boys and Girls 100 SC Meters Backstroke was the highlight of the day in which Vladimir Woodroffe and Monique Watson clichéd first place with Dvon Spencer and Irene La Cruz in second place and Randolph Beharry and Anisha Estwick in third.
Jessica Sookram and Michael Thompson soared to first in the Boys and Girls 14 and Under 50 SC Meters Freestyle forcing Fayann Fredericks and Ricardo Spencer into second, and Shemia Joseph and Josiah Smith into third place.
The Girls and Boys Under 50 SC Meters Freestyle was not short of excitement as Ariel Rodrigues and Paul Mahaica pushed their way to first. Kayla Hardy and Jeron Sookram placed second and Kayla Harding and Tyron Stellingburg third.
Jeremy Sookram and Unesia Fredericks rose in the water to clinch first in the Boys and Girls 16 and Under 50 SC Meters Freestyle followed by Eon McLeon and Anika DeFreitas in second and Veon Bernard and Shanira Williams in third.
Stephen Ramkhelwan and Patrice Mahaica won the Boys and Girls 50 SC Meters Freestyle. Coming in second were Lavisha Cornelius and Rovaldo Lambert and settling for third were Bonita Lawrence and Nemo Smith.
Andica Vierra and Jeremy Sookram were victorious in the Boys and Girls Under 16 50SC Meters Butterfly, forcing Andella France and Ahkiel Mckoy into second place and Joy Isaacs and Andy Larson into third.
In the Girls and Boys Under 50 SC Meters Freestyle, Ariel Rodrigues and Stephen Ramkhelwan pushed their way to first as Kayla Hardy and Nelson Lucas filled the position of second and Kayla Harding and Tyron Stellingburg third.
The Boys and Girls 18 and Under 100 SC Meters Backstroke saw Patrice Mahaica from East Georgetown District and Elliot Gonsalves clinching first place followed by Leanna Richardson and Stephen Ramkhelwan and settling for third place were Anisha Estwick and Nelson Lucas.
Aria Mckoy and Rovaldo Peters won the Boys and Girls 10 and Under 50 SC Meters Backstroke. Coming in second were Julencia Simmons and Neymar Thomas and settling for third were Alianna Stellingburg and Nemo Smith.
All roads will lead to the National Track and Field facility from today to December 1, 2023 for the athletics leg of the championships.
This year, the National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming, and Track and Field Championships are sponsored by Banks DIH Ltd, Digicel Guyana, and Impressions.