A total of 18 swimmers have now qualified for the upcoming Carifta Championships ahead of this weekend’s deadline.Going into the Qualifying Meet on Saturday, BASA already had already confirmed 15 swimmers who had qualified for this year’s championships. Adding to the list were Sophie Froud who hit her second time for Carifta with a 29.28 seconds in the 50 metre free which gave her the second AA standard to be selected.Alex McCallum hit his second time also in the 50 metre free with a 27.34 to make himself eligible for the team. Megan Lau was the next swimmer to hit her second selection time when she knocked off a second in her 50 breaststroke time when she hit the wall 40.56.With 18 swimmers now having reached qualifying standards, and with one final qualifying meet to go, it is hoped a couple more will reach qualifying marks before the team is confirmed.During the weekend meet Jessie Thomas was able to make her first selection time in the 50 metre fly which sets her up to have to get her second time at next weekend’s Best of Best second meet.“Many of our other swimmers that have already been selected for the team were in great form and posted personal best times,” said national coach Ben Smith. “Of note, the 200 free saw Philip Hagen, Vaughn Rowse and Jesse Washington all swim personal best times with Jesse finishing in first place with a 2:02 which is really good for a 13-year-old swimmer.“All three of these swimmers are jockeying for position to be able to represent Bermuda at this summer’s Island Games in this event. Emma Harvey continues to improve meet by meet and her 32.00 in the 50 fly had everyone buzzing. There will be lots of excitement next weekend with it being the second in the Best of Best series and the last chance to qualify for Carifta. This meet will be held at the Warwick Academy Pool beginning at 8.30am.”The Carifta Games will be held March 30 to April 3 in Kingston, Jamaica.