Bermuda made its presence felt at the Carifta Swimming Championships that concluded in Martinique at the weekend.

The island’s 11-member squad won an impressive haul of 21 medals, including nine gold, to leave Ben Smith, the head coach, delighted.

“We are very pleased with the overall performance of the team,” Smith said. “Twenty-one medals from a team of 11 swimmers is a great accomplishment. It was impressive to have all but one swimmer make finals and to have eight of 11 win a medal.”

Leading Bermuda’s charge was Emma Harvey who dominated the girls 13-14 age group, winning seven of the island’s nine gold medals as well as three silver, to surpass the six medals she won at the same competition the previous year.

Harvey won gold in the 100 freestyle, 50 backstroke, 50 and 100 butterfly and 200 and 400 individual medley, as well as in the 5K Open Water event where she won her age group and was second overall.

She also set new championship records in the 100 freestyle and 50 backstroke, as well as the 50 and 100 butterfly.

“Special note to Emma for her six gold medals,” Smith said.

“She also got the gold in the Open Water event, which is a separate event. We believe Emma was the 13-14 age group champion.”

Madelyn Moore won the island’s remaining gold medals in the girls 15-17 age group 50 back and 50 free as well as silver in the 100 free.

Shannon Hassell won silver in the girls 15-17 age group 100 back, Logan Watson-Brown won silver in the girls 11-12 age group 100 free and bronze in the 50 free while Jesse Washington won bronze in the boys 15-17 100 free.

Also winning bronze were Jack Harvey in the boys 11-12 age group 200 back and Vanessa Esposito in the girls 15-17 age group 400 free, while Sam Williamson won two bronze medals in the boys 11-12 200 and 100 breaststroke.

Both Williamson and Watson-Brown were making their Carifta debuts.

“Sam Williamson stepped up big by grabbing two medals in his first Carifta and he will still be in the age group next year,” Smith said. “Logan is the same as Sam, that’s the first time they’ve been to Carifta.

“This team was young but well prepared and hungry for fast swims. Martinique built the pool that Bermuda swimmers wanted, and it was a fast event. This should be a great springboard into the Validus Bermuda Nationals and then Caribbean Island Swimming Championships.”

Lending her support to Bermuda’s swimmers was Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, the sports minister.

“We appreciated the sports minister attending on her own dime,” Smith added. “It was appreciated to have that support. Sponsorship in the future will be appreciated.”