Niall Roberts was Guyana's most outstanding swimmer
Says Miranda La Rose
Stabroek News
December 24, 2006
Niall Roberts of Dorado Speed Swim Club was no doubt Guyana's most outstanding swimmer at the highly competitive recent Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT) Invitational Meet.
Roberts, who swam in the 13-14 age group at the Meet which took place at the Marlins Swimming Pool in Trinidad and Tobago last weekend, copped a silver in the 50m butterfly in a time of 27.42s (lowering his time from 28.54s) and a bronze in the 50m breast stroke with a time of 36.02s (also lowering his time).
In both cases the field included over 25 competitors.
Roberts placed fourth in the 100m butterfly, fifth in the 50m freestyle, sixth in the 50m back, 50m breaststroke and 100m freestyle, seventh in the 200m Individual Medley; and eighth in the 200m freestyle.
He was rated the eighth best swimmer in his age group of over 45 swimmers scoring some 36 individual points for his team, which placed 12th overall from some 21 clubs that took part in the four-day event.
Over 3,400 competitors from six Caribbean countries as well as one swimmer from the State of Florida, took part in over 300 heats in a purely Caribbean affair.
Niall's brother, Yannick, was also outstanding copping fourth in the 200m freestyle; fifth in the 100m freestyle and in the 200m IM, sixth in the 50m freestyle, 17th in the 50m butterfly and 18th in the 50m backstroke. Yannick's individual placing was ninth from a field of some 40 competititors in his age group.
Also ranking highly was Dorado pint-sized swimmer Benjamin Griffith, who swam in the under eight age group and placed 10th out of 45 swimmers. Griffith was seventh in the 50m breaststroke, eighth in the 50m back; 10th in the 50m freestyle and 11th in the 100m freestyle.
Also in the ratings was Dorado's Henk Lowe with a place of 19th out of some 45 swimmers in the 13-14 age group, the same group as Niall Roberts. Lowe was fifth in the 1500m freestyle; seventh in the 400m freestyle; 10th in the 50m back stroke; 14th in the 100m freestyle; 11th in the 50m butterfly; 11th in the 200m freestyle; and 15th in the 50m freestyle. Lowe lowered his time in all the events in which he participated.
Out of a field of 35 competitors in the girls' 15 and over age group, Kristyl Robinson of Orca Speed Swim Club placed 22nd. Robinson was eighth in the 50m backstroke; 13th in the 100m free style; 15th in the 50m butterfly; 11th in the 200m freestyle; and 14th in the 50m freestyle.
The 11-12 age group was rated the most competitive age group and in the girls' category Noelle Smith of Dorado placed 23rd from among 78 swimmers. Smith was 10th in the 100m butterfly; 13th in the 50m back and in the 50m freestyle; 16th in the 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 50m breast and in the 200m IM; and 17th in the 200m free style. In all the events she lowered her times.
Earlando McRae of Orca was also placed at 23 in the same age group as Yannick Roberts. Mc Rae was 17th in the 100m freestyle, sixth in the 50m butterfly; 11th in the 100m butterfly and 10th in the 50m freestyle.
Guyana's combined relay team, which comprised the Roberts brothers, Yannick and Niall, as well as McRae and Jamal Sobers of Orca took third place in the 200 LC (long Course) medley relay in the 15 and over age group.