Members of the Bermuda Carifta 2012 Swimming Championship team and coaching staff arrived back in Bermuda at the LF Wade International Airport to a big Welcome Home reception.
At the Airport to greet the athletes were Acting Minister of Sports Zane DeSilva, Junior Minister of Sports Senator Diallo Rabain, UBP leader Kim Swan, as well as Charlie Swan and OBA candidate Ray Charlton.
The swimmers were led by 7 Medal Winner Jesse Washington, 3 Medal Winner Shannon Hassell, as well as Nic Patterson, Katrina Beveridge, Philip Hagen, Shannon Hassell, Aaron Rego, Jesse Washington, Madelyn Moore.
Silver Medalist Benedict Parfit and Bronze Medalist Junior Female Athlete of the Year Ashley Yearwood both went back to school and did not travel back to Bermuda.
Proud Head Coach Ben Smith said, “These youngster rewarded themselves from all the hard work put in, they get up very early and put the work in and these are just some of the rewards they will see from all that hard work.”
Washington who won 5 Gold Medals, a Silver and a Bronze Medal was also holding on to the 11-12 Boys Overall Points Winner Trophy.
Washington said, “I am really happy with my performance, it was much better than last year.”
When asked which medal was the most special Washington said, “The 100m Freestyle Gold Medal, because I was not expected to do the time I did so that was a big surprise.”
Hassell said, “My performance in Bahamas was quite surprising, because I didn’t think I could swim that fastest.”
Hassell was also asked what does she think she has to do in order to keep swimming that fast, she replied, “I need to keep training.”
