GOODWILL Swim Meet silver medallist Phillip DeNobrega, Trumaine Cole, Leon Seaton and Nikita Peters are some of the medal prospects in the Guyana team of swimmers, who will depart tomorrow for Suriname ahead of their participation at the VOS Powerade Invitational Swim Meet from December 8 to 12.

According to team coach Christopher McAdam, some of the other swimmers who are expected to do well include 8-year-old Ariel Rodrigues along with Antonio Rodrigues.
Twenty-six swimmers are expected to compete against swimmers from Curacao, Aruba, French Guiana and host nation, Suriname. The team have been training twice daily, six days a week at the National Aquatic Centre.

Sixteen-year-old DeNobrega, who clocked a number of personal best (PB) timings throughout the season, is hoping to continue on a high note as the season winds down to a close. DeNobrega will be participating in four events in the Boys’ 18 and over category, namely the 50m and 100m freestyle, the 100m IM and the 100m breaststroke.
DeNobrega, who first began participating at this meet back in 2013, is feeling particularly good about his chances in the 100m breaststroke and 50m freestyle.

“I’m feeling really good about it; I think I’ll bring home a medal or two. Because my times, in these events, compared to other swimmers in Suriname, in these races, are really close.”
Cole, who will also be in the Boys’ 18 and over category, is also looking at his chances in the 100m breaststroke and 50m freestyle. These were the events he was paying keen attention to during training. In addition to those two events Cole will also be in the 50m backstroke and 100m butterfly, as well as in the relays.

Meanwhile, 11-year-old Seaton will now have to show if he can withstand increased competition and repeat his last year’s performance where he claimed four gold medals and a silver, when Guyana returned home with a total of 15 medals.
However, this year has seen an increase in competition from last year when only Guyana and Suriname competed. Seaton will be in the Boys’ 11-12 category, swimming in the 50 freestyle, 100m butterfly, 100m breaststroke and the 100m IM.

Overall this year’s team consists a lot of experienced swimmers, while there are also a few new faces looking to capitalise on experience as they develop on their skills.
There are Ariel Rodrigues and Sarah Ramsammy in the Girls’ 7-8; and Madison Chichester in the 9-10 category. In the 11-12 age group are Nekita Peters, Krystal Brown, and Guvita Ramlakhan, while Harshannie Kundun is the only 13-14 girl and Tiffany De Moura is the lone15-17 girl.

Apart from DeNobrega, Cole and Seaton the Boys’ team includes Jeremy Sookram, Jeron Sookram and Micah Chichester (7-8) Stephen Ramkhelawan (9-10). In the 11-12 group Seaton is joined by Vidjaz Mohamed, Stephon Ramkhelawan and Moses Persaud. The 13-14 boys are Jonathan Sookram, George Telford, Nikhil Ramnarine and Garvin Gayadin.
Team manager is Leon Seaton. Chaperons Bisham Ramlakhan and Persaud Rampersaud and chaperones Rhonda Seaton, Shannie Rodrigues and Anita are the other officials.