Shona Palmer heaped praise on Bermuda’s travelling contingent after they concluded the Bahamas National Swimming Championships with 50 top-three finishes.

Thomas Cechini, Pippa Charleson, Brian Desmond, Elanna Fulton, Howes, Hupman, Caleb Ingham, Rhys Insley, Imojen Judd, Noah Maranzana, Finn Moseley, Newport Derbyshire, Tallulah Parkinson, Violet Smith, Flynn Watson-Brown, Katherine Wheddon, White and Williamson made up the team that was mentored by national coaches Ben Smith and Palmer.

Of the 50 top-three finishes achieved, 16 were first places, with 17 second and third places.

Palmer was particularly impressed with the manner in which the senior squad members led by example to help guide the younger swimmers, a number of whom were representing Bermuda for the first time.

“It was wonderful to see many of our more experienced national team swimmers who have represented Bermuda on multiple occasions mentor and guide the younger team members, including Tallulah Parkinson, Katherine Wheddon and Noah Maranzana who were making their international debuts.”

Leading the way with top individual displays among the team were Taylor White and Marleigh Howes with seven top-three finishes each, while Sam Williamson and Connor Hupman finished with six apiece.

Williamson was first in six of his events and had four personal best times, while White’s seven top-three placings were first position, four second place.

Howes was first three times, and settled for second and third place twice.

Hupman finished second four times and third twice. Also outstanding was Arabella Newport Derbyshire who was part of the girls 13-14 age group, where from her seven events, she was first twice and second three times.

Over the course of the meet, there was also a number of impressive performances in the relay disciplines.

Among them were the men’s 18 and over team made up of Desmond, Ingham, Moseley and Williamson in the 4x50m medley relay, as well as in the mixed 15-18 age group 4x50 medley relay by the team consisting of Elanna Fulton, Noah Maranzana, Marleigh Howes and Connor Hupman.

There was also a strong showing by Imojen Judd, Rhys Insley, Pippa Charleson and Watson-Brown in the 15-17 age group.

In total 38 individual personal-best times were set.

Swimmers from Harbour and Sharks swim clubs attended the Bahamas meet in 2021, but this was the first time Bermuda competed as collective squad.

The event was this year chosen as a replacement for the Central American and Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation Championship, with the Bermuda team opting to prioritise the wellbeing of their young swimmers over a trip to El Salvador in August.