John-Paul Pedro and Jonathan Ramkissoon were the standouts when Centre of Excellence Sea Hawks Swim Club held its annual "Dash Away Soiree" on Saturday at the Garden Sanctuary, Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence, to recognise the 2012 achievements of the club.
Pedro, who competed in the boys 11�12 age group last year, received the "Set Swim Soar" award which is the highest award of the club. "Set Swim Soar" is the club's motto, which means set you goals, train hard and you shall succeed.
From a swimmer who infrequently made finals, and had never made a national team, the "Set Swim Soar" winner became a finalist at regional meets, and won 11-12 male 4 x 100m freestyle relay CISC gold, 11-12 male 4 x 100m freestyle relay Carifta silver and ended 2012 as the fastest 11-12 boy in the 200m individual medley.
He was also awarded the title of "Emerging Athlete of the Year." His attitude to training and his commitment to excellence have been great contributors to his 2012 success.
Ramkissoon was recognised as the athlete who had the "Most Outstanding Individual Performance."
This performance was at the biennial Caribbean Island Swimming Championships (CISC) which was held in Aruba in June/July 2012.
He has now gone from being a non-entity on the national stage to a potential World Juniors Championships qualifier.
In CISC in Aruba, he narrowly missed the 15-17 boys 50m breaststroke national record by 0.02 seconds while he achieved best times in all his breaststroke events at CISC, achieving a 15�17 boys 100m breaststroke silver and 50m breaststroke bronze. Ramkissoon was also presented with the "Most Promising Boys Competitive Swimmer" award.
In November 2011, Sea Hawks merged with Tsunami Swim Club to form TITANS Swim Club. The clubs keep their separate identities but compete under the TITANS banner.
President of Sea Hawks Jason Wickham, in his address, said he was pleased with the club's performance. He congratulated athletes for their achievements, especially the 13 that made national teams, and also commended parents and supporters for their contribution.
Kyle Caracciolo, who made his first national team in 2012, was awarded the "Most Dedicated" and "Most Disciplined Competitive" swimmer.
The club also recognised their three CISC medallists in Theana Hay, Johnnya Ferdinand and Jonathan Ramkissoon.
Hay was this country's first 5000m Open Water CISC gold medallist while Ferdinand also received the award for "Most Promising Competitive" girls.
The club's next event is on Sunday at the Marlins Swim Pool, Westmoorings.
It will be the first qualifier for Carifta, CCCAN and the World Junior Championships.
Honour roll
Set Swim Soar award 2012: John-Paul Pedro
Most Outstanding Individual Performance: Jonathan Ramkissoon
Emerging Athlete of the Year: John-Paul Pedro
Athlete's Choice "Most Valuable Player": Kyle Caracciolo
Sharon Acres Memorial award (Outstanding Volunteerism): Verna Lewis
Pre-Competitive awards:
Most Dedicated: Josiah Changar & Adrian Frection
Most Improved: Meagan Garcia
Most Disciplined: Kharisma Faustin
Most Promising: Renelle Harricharan
Best Dryland athlete: Jabari Phillip
Competitive awards:
Most Dedicated: Kyle Caracciolo
Best Dryland athlete: Aromis Lewis
Most Disciplined: Kyle Caracciolo
Most Promising Boy: Jonathan Ramkissoon
Most Promising Girl: Johnnya Ferdinand
Hear award: Joshua Ramkissoon
Team Spirit award: Melina Marcano
Most Improved (boys): Johann Ferdinand
Most Improved (girls): Rochelle Jackson
National athletes:
Jessie Changar, Johann Ferdinand, John-Paul Pedro, Johnnya Ferdinand, Joshua Ramkissoon, Theana Hay, Jonathan Ramkissoon, Simone Maundy, Shakeera Villaroel, Kyle Caracciolo, Marie Marcano, Kieranne Ramtahal, Vikash Ramtahal
Corporate champions:
Centre of Excellence, First Citizens
Volunteer awards: Rachel Jackson, Neal Marcano, Maylene Pedro, Jeffrey Lewis, Kim Mallalieu, Verna Lewis
Appreciation awards: Wendell Lai Hing, Vinod Ramlogan, Jennifer Lander, Wendy Maynard, Malcolm Boyce