Taylor opens season at Little Rock Invitational

Bahamian swimming sensation Lamar Taylor got his 2021-2022 season underway on Saturday when he helped his Henderson State University Red Wave men’s team to a first-place finish at the inaugural Little Rock Invitational at the Donaghey Aquatic Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Taylor swam in four races – two individual and two relays. He picked up a first and second place finish in his individual races and helped his relay teams to first-place finishes.

As a team, the Red Wave finished with 610 total points, beating Ouachita Baptist University, Williams Baptist University and the host, University of the Ozarks.

Taylor was able to swim away from the field of 22 swimmers in the 50-yard freestyle when he touched the wall in 20.85 seconds. His teammate Tim Holt finished second when he clocked 21.39 seconds. Williams Baptist Kaleb Shive swam 22.02 seconds to secure third overall.

The sophomore was able to get a second-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke. He posted a time of 51.37 seconds. Winning that race was his teammate Stephen Jones in a time 51.37 seconds. Shive picked up another third place when he recorded 53.10 seconds.

In the first relay of the day for the men, the 18-year-old swam the first leg of his 200-yard medley relay first-place team. They clocked 1:37.90. He swam the first leg – the backstroke – in a time of 24.29 seconds. His team included Jose Beltra, Jase Pinckney and Holt.

Ouachita Baptist’s “A” team placed second with a time of 1:38.14. Ouachita Baptist’s “B” team clocked 1:40.66 to place third.

Toward the end of the meet, Taylor anchored his 400-yard freestyle relay team to victory when he touched the wall in 3.14.50. He swam his anchor leg with the fastest overall split of a quick 47.49 seconds. His teammates on this first-place team were Patryk Dabrowski, Sloan Tate and Ty Gibbs.

Ouachita Baptist placed second once again as they clocked 3:16.28. The Red Wave’s “B” team swam away with the third-place finish with a time of 3:18.39.

The Red Wave’s next meet will come in their home-opener as Oklahoma Christian heads to the Wells Natatorium on Friday, October 8 at 4 p.m.

Bahamian swimmer DaVante Carey opened his collegiate season for the McKendree Bearcats on September 11 in five races – two individual and three relay races at the St. Louis Showcase held at the Chuck Fruit Aquatic Center on the campus of Edwardsville High School in Edwardsville, Illinois.

In the individual race, Carey saw a first and second place finish in the 50 meters (m) back and 50m butterfly, respectively. He posted a time of 27.63 seconds to win the 50m back. The backstroke is his strongest stroke as evident by him holding all three Bahamas national records in the back. His second-place time was 26.02 seconds. His teammate Gregg Lichinsky was first with a time of 25.67 seconds.

Carey and his 200m medley relay team of Filipe Pinheiro, Jack Lustig and Xander Skinner set a new pool time of 1:45.83 to win that event. Carey’s split in that race was 27.08 seconds. In the 500m free relay, Carey and his team were fourth with a time of 5:02.27. In the 200m free relay, Carey’s team posted a time of 1:48.13 to finish fourth.

The Bearcats are scheduled to return to the pool on Friday, October 8 as they head to Carbondale, Illinois, for a 2 p.m. dual meet against Southern Illinois University.

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