NSC / GASA Independence Swim Meet…Cole staves off valiant Primus to take 18 & Over 100m Free in exciting climax to day 3

May 30, 2016 Sports

By Franklin Wilson

The third day of action, which will now be 5-days due to unforeseen circumstances, ended in breathtaking fashion as first-timer, Guyana Police Force (GPF) swimmer Deon Primus almost upset seasoned campaigner, Trumaine Cole of Silver Sharks Speed Swim Club.

Trumaine Cole (left) of Silver Sharks powers to the finish line ahead of GPF’s Deon Primus in the 100M Free. (Franklin Wilson photo)

It was the final race of the day, the 100M Freestyle as competition in the National Sports Commission (NSC), Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) Independence Meet continued at the National Aquatic Centre.
Competing in heat two of two of the Boys 18 & Over 100M Free, it was always going to be a keen fight between the two 19-year-old athletes; Primus, not used to this level of competition as Cole improves with every race. At the halfway point, Cole held a slight lead coming into the final 50m after the turn.
With about 25m to the line it was almost a neck and neck battle between the two as they were urged on by their respective supporters and other fans at the pool. In the end, Cole had to dig deep into his reserve to stave off a valiant and commendable effort from Primus to take the gold in 1:04.96.
Primus, who was timed at 1:07.29 was visibly exhausted after finishing the race but no doubt would feel proud of his performance on the day; a few more dedicated training days with the right guidance can see him {Primus} not only turning the tables on Cole but going on to do well for Guyana.
Primus was in gold medal mood in the 200M Individual Medley (IM) which he won (3:06.38) from fellow cop Lindon Barkoye (3:30.47).
The usual top performers continued their dominance of their respective events, Soroya Simmons (Dorado) building on her successes of day 1 and 2 with three more gold medals in the Girls 18 & Over category.
Simmons completed the 100M Free ahead of GPF’s Kitica Pillew in 1:09.43 to Pellew’s 1:46.16; was the lone competitor in the 200m IM clocking 2:51.58 while she also took the 400M Free from Pellew and her teammate Eva Harry in 5:15.62.
Orca’s Aleka Persaud continued her impressive form adding another three gold medals; she dominated the Girls 9-10 200M IM winning in 3:05.30 apart from the 100M Butterfly (1:30.38) as the lone swimmer and 100M Free from a field of five other swimmers in two heats of 3 each, she clocked 1:15.93 to win comfortably.
Equally dominant was Raekwon Noel (Silver Sharks) in the Boys 9-10 category; he won the 100M Butterfly (1:19.28) 200M IM (2:55.94) and 100M Free (1:08.24).
Leon Seaton (Silver Sharks) was just as impacting in dominating the same events as Persaud and Noel but in the Boys 11-12 class. Seaton was the loner in the 100M Butterfly (1:16.99) and 200M IM (2:55.97) while dominating the 100M Free from a field of six to win in 1:07.79.
Lian Winter (Dorado) competing on the distaff side in Seaton’s age group, was also the lone swimmer in the 100M Butterfly clocking 1:18.98; was better than her peers in the 200M IM (3:01.62), while she had to settle for the bronze (1:11.20) in the 100M Free which was won by Silver Sharks’ Danielle George in 1:07.32.
Dorado’s Antonio Hussein maintained rich form with a gold medal swim in the Boys 13-14 100M Butterfly (1:09.30) swimming against himself; toped the field in the 200M (2:40.22) and was equally imposing in the 100M Free which he took in 1:02.96.
Amy Grant (Silver Sharks) won the Girls 13-14 400M Free gold in (5:47.76) as the lone competitor. Kenita Mahaica of Dolphin Speed Swim Club competing in the same category as Grant took the top podium spots in the 200M IM (3:03.02) and the 100M Free (1:11.46).
Orca’s Antonio Rodrigues (Boys 15-17) was golden in the 100M Butterfly which he took in 1:12.44; 200M IM (2:37.81) as well as the 100M Free where he was challenged by two other swimmers but still took the top spot in 1:01.12.
Reyon Usher (GPF) took the Boys 18 & Over 100M Butterfly in 1:34.18. Jadyn George competing under the Silver Sharks banner defeated club mate Danielle George to win the Girls 11-12 4500M Free in 5:21.19.
Ariel Rodrigues (Orca) was unstoppable in the Girls 8 & Under 100M Free clocking 1:30.61, while the gold for Boys in the same category and event went to Dorado’s Emmanuel Primus in 1:36.85. Kayth Godette took the Girls 15-17 100M Free in the all Orca quartet in 1:16.65.
Today will see the 200M Free races that were put off due to blackout on day 2 being contested from 06:30hrs while the 50M Free races will be contested on Friday afternoon from 17:00hrs.