Ben Smith, the national swimming coach, has hailed the island’s impressive display at the Carifta Championships in Curaçao.

Bermuda’s young group of swimmers punched well above their weight by coming away from the regional competition with eight medals under their belt, much to the delight of Smith

“I would say that we surpassed expectations and I think we had a really strong showing,” Smith told The Royal Gazette.

“Obviously, Marleigh Howes put her stamp on this competition for this year but everybody swam well and the relay team came through.

“I think overall the island should be very proud of their performances that they have put in over the last four days.”

Warwick Academy high-performance swimmer Marleigh Howes was the island’s standout performer after securing four silver medals competing in the 400 metres freestyle (4min 48.44sec), 100 metres freestyle (1:00.98), 200 metres freestyle (2:14.06) and 100 metres backstroke (1:10.33) in the girls’ 13-14 age category.

“Marleigh really could have swum even faster,” Smith added. “She did well and we expect more.

“She is a really hard worker and already before the meet was over she started talking to me about what we’re going to do when we get home to prepare for what she is going to try to do this summer.

“It’s that work ethic that really leads to these kind of performances, so work hard and you achieve. She sets a really good example for everybody else that hard work pays off.”

Howes’s sister, Bella, also enjoyed success at the championships with a silver medal in the girls’ 15-17 100 metres freestyle (59.84).

Elanna Fulton, who made her debut at the championships this year, claimed the island’s only other individual medal with bronze in the girls’ 13-14 50 metres butterfly (30:13).

“Elanna is pretty new to this level of competition and so for her to be able to come here this year and win a medal while she is still learning to be this level of swimmer was a really exciting experience,” Smith said. “I know she will learn a lot from this trip.”

Bermuda also enjoyed success in the relays as Imojen Judd, Myeisha Sharrieff, Adriana Argent and Bella Howes captured a pair of bronze medals in the 400 and 800 metres freestyle relay.

“Everybody on this team is training at least eight times a week,” Smith said. “They are all in the gym several times a week, so the amount of time and energy that they have put into this sport is why getting the results they are getting right now is well earned.”

Bermuda’s representatives managed to hold their own despite being up against some formidable competition in the pool.

“This is one of the fastest Cariftas that they have ever had and there have been about 30 records broken,” Smith said.

“Bahamas has come and really dominated this year but across the board you can tell that the region is getting stronger and I am glad that our guys have been able to match that.”

Smith reckons the island’s future is in good hands with the promising group of swimmers he has at his disposal.

“This will be the core of the team going forward. so as we add new swimmers next year most of this team will be here, which is always good,” he added.

“For this young group to be performing at this level is really exciting and we are looking forward to what they are going to be doing this upcoming summer which is a very busy year for them.

“We’ll be seeing some of these same swimmers at CAC Games and Commonwealth Games so I know all of them will be resting for a couple of days and then get straight back into the pool and get back to work.”