swam like the wind.

Nuri Latham and Stephen Troake highlighted the Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association's first meet of the year by qualifying for the Caribbean and Central American championships in July.

Nearly 100 swimmers battled the blustery conditions at BASA pool in an open competition that favoured individual times over age groups and medals.

And Latham and Troake produced the best performances, becoming just the fifth and sixth Bermudians to meet the tough AAA standards for entry into the CAC age group meet in Cuba.

Latham, 14, qualified in the 50-mere freestyle with his time of 26.62 seconds.

Graham Smith, Chris King and Robin Massey were a close second through fourth -- 27.23, 27.36 and 27.98 respectively, just failing to make the grade (although they did reach AA marks).

Latham, who swims for the Dolphins club, also won the 50m breaststroke.

Troake, meanwhile, blazed to a time of 53.85 to qualify in the 16-year-old 100m freestyle. The Harbour club member also won two other races, including a AA time of 2:32.32 in beating out Ronald Cowen in the 200 individual medley.

Trevor Nelson was second in the 100m free, posting his second AA time of the day to go along with victories in the 100m and 200m breaststroke.

Cowen's best was a win -- and AA clocking of 2:06.31 -- in the 200m free.

Smith had two seconds, both with AA times.

Jessica Marwick, Rebecca Hanson and Melanie Fullerton were the top girls at the meet.

Marwick, 13, won three races -- the 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke -- and Hanson two -- the 100 and 200 backstroke, meeting an AA time of 2:38.20 in the latter.

Fullerton is only 10 but made the minimum qualifying time in the 100m freestyle to join the Bermuda national squad.

SPLASHDOWN -- Swimmers in the girls 200 metre freestyle heats dive into the BASA pool during the first Spring Series meet on Saturday.