The Virgin Islands Swimming Federation sent two of their national swimmers, Caylee Watson and Victor Torres, to represent the Virgin Islands in the 15th FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain, July 28 through Aug. 4. They will be competing among approximately 1,200 swimmers from 180 different federations.
Caylee Watson is a salutatorian graduate from the Country Day School Class of 2013 and will be attending American University and studying political science. She will also be swimming for the Eagles Swim Team there. She has been part of the Dolphins Swim Team since 2006 and part of the Virgin Islands National Swim Team since 2008. Watson, as part of the national team, has had the opportunity to represent the V.I. in different countries such as, Jamaica, Barbados, Bahamas, Cuba, Costa Rica and Aruba — where she received a silver medal in the 200 meter backstroke. She also holds 20 Virgin Islands Swimming Federation records earning one just this last Monday, July 29, at the 15th FINA World Championships in the open category 100 meter backstroke. This record had been held previously by Tricia Duncan since 1988.
Victor Torres graduated from Good Hope School Class of 2013 and will be attending NOVA Southeastern University and studying computer science. He will be part of the Sharks Swim Team while attending NOVA. He has been part of the Dolphins Swim Team since May 2007. Since then, he has been traveling with the Dolphins team to several meets off island such as St Thomas, Puerto Rico, Florida and Arizona, to mention a few. He has been part of the Virgin Islands National Swim Team since 2012. Torres competed at the Carifta Swimming Championships in the Bahamas and CISC Swimming Championships in Aruba in 2012, where he received a Bronze medal in the 200 meter backstroke. This year he also competed at the Carifta Swimming Championships in Kingston, Jamaica, and in the CCCAN Swimming Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Those interested in being a part of this rewarding sport should contact the Dolphins Swim Team on St. Croix at 719-7946 or e-mail at [email protected]. On St. Thomas, contact the Stingrays Swim Team at 779-7872 or e-mail at [email protected].