Montana, Jackson and Macrae hit CARIFTA cuts on final day in Jamaica
Miquela Montana and Sarah Jackson both reigned in their first CARIFTA cuts of the year while Catriona Macrae added her first pool event to her list of CARIFTA times in the final session of the Chrismas Open in Jamaica this weekend. Miquela shaved off more than 14 seconds from her best long course time in the 200 breaststroke to become the first qualifier for Cayman in the event. Sarah Jackson took a second crack at the 50 breaststroke in a time trial and once again hit the qualifying time she had been disqualified from the previous day. Catriona Macrae, despite swimming into the lane line (like most of her teammates on a very, very sunny morning) swam to her first CARIFTA pool cut in the 50m backstroke!
Ali Jackson also posted a new CARIFTA cut in the 200 Breaststroke, bringing her total up to a whopping 10, the most of any swimmer in Cayman.
Cole Morgan kept his winning ways going, making a clean sweep of the backstroke events, winning the 50 while Iain McCallum made it a double-gold day, capturing 1st place in both the 400 free and 200 butterfly.
Hayley Roulstone continued her tear, dropping massive time in both the 50 back and 50 free, making it a perfect 7 for 7 PB's. Hayley was accompanied in this feat by John Bodden, Alex Dakers, Iain McCallum, Iain Macrae and Jonathan Key. Ella Plunkett, Ria Plunkett, Miquela Montana, Cole Morgan and Ali Jackson each went 6 for 7 over the weekend.
It was a good time had by all, and I want to send a very special thank you to Christine Maltman, our tour manager. The trip was unbelievably well organized and everybody involved: Parents; myself; and swimmers were well taken care of and reaped the benefits of her hard work. Thank you!
Jamaica by the numbers:
51 medals (more than double last years total)
18 Gold Medals
5 new CARIFTA qualifiers
15 new CARIFTA cuts
7 new CARIFTA qualifiers in pool events
4 meet records
3: the number of times Ashley put "1" in the water on the lap counter for Jonthan Key's 1500 :D
