Record-breaking Atkinson provides boost for local meet

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Alia Atkinson was the star of the 16th staging of the Karl Dalhouse Memorial Swim meet, held at the National Stadium over the weekend.

She won all six events in which she competed, breaking five records in the process.

Atkinson, the runner-up in the 2010 RJR Sportswoman of the Year, captured the 100m butterfly (1:04.38), 200m breaststroke (2:39.37), 200m individual medley (2:30.62), 100m breaststroke (1:13.12), 50m freestyle (27.28) and the 400m freestyle (4:35.98); all in the record-breaking times, with the latter being the exception.

Brian James, the meet director, was left with the view that Atkinson's participation at the meet went a far way in motivating the other female competitors.

"Alia's presence was significant, having claimed the runner-up title in the Sportswoman of the Year competition recently held, and her outstanding performances at the recently held Short Course Championships in Dubai; along with the fact that she won four gold medals at the CAC Championships late last year; three of which were records," James outlined.

"Her presence, I think, elevated the performances of many of the other female swimmers, so much so that a number of them actually made CARIFTA qualifying times at this meet," he added.

New meet record

One of the other females who shone at the meet was Anjuii Barrett, who broke two records, including the girls' 9-10 year-old 50m freestyle, which had stood for 16 years. She clocked 32.27 to erase the old mark of 32.66 set by M. Chuck back in 1995. She also took the 10- and- under 100m freestyle in a new meet-record time of 1:16.06.

Fourteen-year-old Sidrell Williams captured four individual gold medals, two of which came in record-breaking time. They were set in the boys' 100m butterfly (1:03.61) and the boys' 50m freestyle (25.95).

The four other records that plunged at the meet were the girls' 100m breaststroke, which was won by Kendese Nangle (1:07.07); Priscilla McClure captured the girls' 100m breaststroke in 1:19.85; D'Angaene Clarke took the 50m freestyle (1:16.06); while Shamori Todd was responsible for the men's 50m (28.30) record.

The swim meet, which is critical in the qualification process for athletes wishing to represent Jamaica at Carifta and the Caribbean Island Swimming Championships, was won by defending champions Tornadoes Swim Club, with 1,076 points.

They were followed by 'Y' Speedos Swim Club (964), Marlins Swim Club (923), Swimaz Aquatic Swim Club (359), Blue Seal Swim Club (356), Royal Swim Club (157) and Dolphin Swim Club (one).