Source: www.trinidadexpress.com
George Bovell III and Cherelle Thompson were named 2010 Male and Female Swimmers of the Year respectively, at the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago's (ASATT) awards ceremony on Saturday at the UWI Open Campus, Gordon Street, St. Augustine.
Bovell's highlight last year was his fourth place finish in the 100-metre individual medley at the FINA World Short Course Championships in Dubai in December, a new national record of 51.96 seconds. He also won gold in the 50m freestyle at the CAC Games in Puerto Rico in a meet record of 22.23 seconds.
His silver medal performance in the CAC Games in the 50m backstroke posted a new national record of 26.09 seconds. Bovell III was also named by the First Citizens Sports Foundation as one of the top ten senior athletes in 2010.
Thompson enjoyed a successgul year in the junior ranks in 2010 was a finalist in the CAC Games and a semi finalist at the Commonwealth Games in India. She also qualified for the World Short Course Championships.
In November, Thompson erased the 50m freestyle record of Olympian Siobhan Cropper, establishing a new time of 25.61. Thompson was also named by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee and the First Citizens Sports Foundation as the Junior Sports Personality of the Year Female.
ASATT president Lindsay Gillette comgratulated all the swimmers and water polo players for their top level performances in 2010.
"You work hard and train in the 'Alaskan tempuratured' pools on mornings and late nights and in the blazing sun on afternoons. You forego sweet limes and parties just to keep focused on achieving your goals. As an Association, we will work hard to represent, make your dreams a reality and assist you to become as great as you want to be."
Gillette also made mention of turbulence in the public domain which may have overshadowed the excellent performances of the athletes.
"As president of this Association, I will do all in my power to ensure that our athletes are protected and are not disadvantaged my issues that are no fault of their own. I intend to work with my executive and the council and all stakeholders of our support, to transform the aquatic product to one which any athlete and their parent would be proud to associate with and any sponsor would be proud and willing to invest in."
Specially recognised at the ceremony was Youth Olympic gold medallist Christian Homer, who was T&T's first and only medallist at the Singapore Games.
Homer was jointly named with Cadell Lyons as the 15-17 male athlete of the year.
CISC medallist and the first Tobago resident on a national swim team Mosi Denoon and Commonwealth Games Paralympic finalist Shantol Ince received special awards.
The CAC Games silver medal winning male 4 x 100 m freestyle relay team of Bovell, Caryle Blondell, Joshua McLeod and Jarryd Gregoire were also specially honoured.