Madison MacMillan and Ellie Shaw have secured Antigua and Barbuda's first medals at the 39th CARIFTA Aquatics Championships, both swimmers claiming silver on Sunday at the Pierre Samot Community Aquatic Centre in Le Lamentin, Martinique. According to Antigua.news, the performances were part of a strong overall showing by the 14-member Antigua and Barbuda Swimming Federation (ABSF) squad.
MacMillan opened the nation's medal account on April 5, finishing second in the Girls 15-17 800 metres freestyle with a time of nine minutes and 32 seconds.
Shaw followed with silver in the Girls 15-17 200 metres breaststroke, touching the wall in two minutes and 43 seconds. The reigning Junior Sportswoman of the Year had entered that final seeded third after the preliminary rounds.
The ABSF squad's depth was evident throughout the competition, with seven swimmers advancing to finals across multiple events. Anya De Gannes entered the Girls 13-14 100 metres butterfly final as the top seed, while Jamie Tranter qualified third in the Boys 13-14 50 metres backstroke final. Kaylee Warner secured spots in two finals in the Girls 11-12 category, seeded sixth in the 50 metres backstroke and fifth in the 100 metres butterfly.
Alyssa Watkins was seeded seventh and Christopher Walter eighth in their respective Girls and Boys 11-12 100 metres butterfly finals.
Several athletes also recorded personal best times during the preliminary rounds. Alessandro Bazzoni clocked 1:06.23 in the 100 metres butterfly, Espriit Shaw posted 1:00.41 in the same event, and Anya De Gannes recorded 1:08.10.
Jamie Tranter touched the wall in 29.41 seconds in the 50 metres backstroke, while Kaylee Warner clocked 1:13.63 in the 100 metres butterfly, Alyssa Watkins 1:14.25, Christopher Walter 1:10.38, and Selah Wiltshire 34.84 seconds in the 50 metres backstroke.
