GASA Independence Meet final day...Van Lange, Grant, Gonsalves among top performers

GASA Independence Meet final day…Van Lange, Grant, Gonsalves among top performers

May 27, 2013 Sports

The pundits were adamant that the 50 meters freestyle event would have scorched the pool and they were on target when Ethan Gonsalves swam at a blistering pace to take the honours in that event when the curtains were drawn on the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) Independence Meet at the National Aquatic Centre, Lilliendaal East Coast Demerara, yesterday afternoon.

Swimmers in action in the girls 8 and under 50 meter freestyle

A much larger and appreciative crowd which graced the event than on previous days were treated to determined performances and many races concluded in nail biting finishes, sometimes by merely one stroke.
Brittany Van Lange then stamped her authority in the Girls 15-17, 50 meters Freestyle race with a clear cut victory over Athena Gaskin. Arch-rivals and gym mates of the Dorado Swimming Club, Amy Grant and Sarah King also blazed the waters in a highly competitive event, the Girls 11-12, 100 meters backstroke, that saw the former swimmer finishing first. Another King, this time Naomi, overwhelmed her opponent, Deborah E Scott, in the Girls 9-10, 50 meters butterfly moments before Sarah King of Dorado defeated her gym mate, Alyssa Nurse in the Girls 11-12, 50 meters butterfly.
Riley Nurse then blazed her way to the first place in the Girls 8 and Under 50 meters freestyle event, in front of Aleka Persaud and Amber DeGoeas, respectively. Naomi also won the Girls 50 meters freestyle ahead of Donna Carter and Deborah Scott. Ken Sahadeo grabbed the first spot in the Boys 9-10 50 meter freestyle. There were two heats in the Girls 11-12 50 meters freestyle; Suzeth Johnson and Amy Grant were the winners.
There were also two heats in the Boys 15-17, 50 meters Freestyle event and the first was won by Derrick Ramsaroop who pipped Adrian Rebiro in a closely contested affair; Gregory Skybar placed third. Omar Adams won the second event just in front of Hannibal Gaskin and Omari Dunn respectively. Dolly Chambers dominated the Girls 13-14, 50 meters freestyle while Shanice Mahaica swam in second just before Reall Stewart completed the podium spots.
Hannibal Gaskin was the clear winner in the Boys 15-17, 50 meters Butterfly race, leaving Omari Dunn and Omar Adams, respectively, in his wake. Raekwon Noel was also in winners’ row after clinching the honours in the Boys 8 and Under 100 meters backstroke; he finished ahead of Josiah King. The fierce rivalry continued in the Boys 11-12, 50 meters freestyle when Daniel Scott swam at a blistering pace to finish ahead of Nathan Hackett and Nkosi Beaton, respectively.
Once again Niall Roberts had to swim all alone in two events in the absence of competitors in his category. He swam in the Boys 18 and over, 50 meters butterfly and the Boys 18 and over 50 meters Freestyle event. Dylan Nurse also swam alone in the Boys 13-14, 50 meters Butterfly as had Athena Gaskin and Riley Nurse in the Girls 15-17, fifty meters butterfly race and the Girls 8 and Under 50 Meters butterfly respectively. Daniel Scott also swam against time in the Boys 11-12, 100 meters backstroke and the 50 meters butterfly event in that very age category.