TD commends Mitchell on ‘break-out’ performance

Technical Director of the Antigua and Barbuda Swimming Federation (ABSF) Edith Clashing commended Stefano Mitchell for being the ‘break-out star’ in last weekend’s OECS Swimming Championships.
Mitchell, who competed in the boy’s 18-and-over section, dominated the pool, breaking six of Antigua and Barbuda’s 12 records recorded over the weekend.  
In the 400 meters freestyle (4:04.25), 200m freestyle (1:54.07), 100m freestyle (51.81), 50m freestyle (23.86), 200 Individual medley (2:12.36) and 100m butterfly (57.83).
Teammates, Olivia Fuller, Hailey Derrick and Tivon Benjamin also broke records as well as the 15- and-over girls 200m medley relay team – Gabriella Gittens, Zoe Dennis, Bianca Mitchell, Aliah Maginley (2:09.84) and the boys 15 and over 200m freestyle relay team -Stefano Mitchell, Diallo Marshall, Daryl Appleton, Noah Mascoll-Gomes (1:58.03). 
A total of 37 records overall were broken. 
In speaking on the Good Morning JoJo Sports show, Clashing praised Mitchell on his performance as well as Tivon Benjamin who broke two of Lleyton Martin’s longstanding records in the 9-10 section.
“Stefano has really shone in this championship. I think he has done his very best times in a short course pool. He is actually on Olympic solidarity scholarship so we are looking to see how he moves forward with this.
“We also were very pleased with Tivon Benjamin. He is an emerging 9-10-year-old swimmer and was able to break very significant records by Lleyton Martin so we have seen him emerge as another star within our Antigua team.”
She went on to commend female swimmers, Aliah Maginley, Olivia Fuller and Hailey Derrick who “remain consistent dominant forces in their categories.”
Clashing also spoke on the commendations she received from teams for the new location, the Vipers Swimming Pool in Langfords.
The Federation will now look to host a coaching clinic and prepare a four-man contingent for the FINA World championships in China next month.
Olivia Fuller, Bianca Mitchell, Stefano Mitchell and Noah Mascoll-Gomes were the four selected. 
Absent from the team is Lleyton Martin and Aliah Maginley.
 Clashing further explained the selection process.
“Lleyton is not available to go, as in terms of point standings [she did not do] as well as Aliah did in her category for OECS; both Olivia and Bianca are actually faster swimmers than she is. Selection is based on what we call FINA point rankings so we look at who has the best rankings in their best events.”
Antigua and Barbuda settled for a second-place finish in the meet while Grenada were crowned champions.