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Wednesday, January 07, 2026
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Smatt & Fahy Bermuda’s Historic LC Records Stand Firm
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 Stephen Fahy IslandStats.com
Following the publication of the 2025 long course benchmarks, a closer look at the Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association archives reveals that some of the most enduring records now stretch back nearly four decades.
The longest-standing female record in the books belongs to Olympian Jennifer Smatt, whose dominance in the Breaststroke has spanned generations. Her 11-12 girls 100m Breaststroke time of 1:18.00, set in July 1987 in Puerto Rico, has remained the gold standard for over 38 years.
Smatt also holds several other resilient marks, including her 17-18 age group breaststroke records set during the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona and Individual Medley times dating back to 1990.
On the men’s side, the longest-standing record belongs to Olympian Stephen Fahy in the Open category. His 200m Individual Medley time of 2:07.25, established during the 13th Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada, has stood unchallenged since August 1st, 1999. This 26-year-old benchmark remains a formidable barrier for the island's current crop of elite male swimmers.
Other notable veterans of the record books include Anastasia Lau, whose 17-18 Girls 50m Breaststroke mark has stood since 2004, and Rebecca Sharpe, who has held the 15-16 Girls 200m Backstroke record since 2008. The legendary 2009 season also remains a prolific era for enduring times, featuring world-class performances from Olympians Julian Fletcher in the 17-18 Breaststroke and Kiera Aitken in the Open Freestyle and Backstroke categories.
Sprint king Olympian Roy-Allan Burch continues to hold the Men’s Open 50m Freestyle record with his 22.47-second dash from the 2012 London Olympics. Meanwhile, Mitchell Gariépy's 50m Breaststroke time remains the 9-10 Boys standard 15 years after it was set in Florida. These historic marks continue to serve as the ultimate benchmarks for Bermuda's emerging talent as they look to etch their own names into the annals of the sport.
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Tuesday, January 06, 2026
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Smatt’s 30-Year Standard Remains the peak of Swimming History
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Bermuda’s swimming record books have undergone a significant overhaul in recent seasons, but a handful of historic times remain untouched, serving as a powerful reminder of the island’s aquatic legacy.
Following the publication of the 2025 short course benchmarks, a closer look at the Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association (BASA) archives reveals that some of the most enduring records now stretch back nearly four decades.
The longest-standing record in the current books belongs to Olympian Jennifer Smatt. Her performance in the 11-12 Female 200m Breaststroke has stood for nearly 39 years. Clocked on June 1st, 1987, Smatt’s time of 2:47.10 remains the Gold standard for that Age Group. It is a mark that has survived multiple generations of rising stars and remains one of the most formidable challenges for any young Bermudian breaststroker.
Smatt’s dominance in that era is further highlighted by her influence on the senior ranks; although many of her open records were eventually lowered by the likes of Lisa Blackburn, her youth mark from the late eighties remains the ultimate outlier in an era of rapid technical progression.
While Smatt holds the title for the oldest individual mark, the year 2009 remains the most prolific for records that refuse to fall. This period, often cited as a "Golden Era" for Bermudian swimming, saw three major stars establish times that have now passed the 15-year milestone.
Kiera Aitken, one of the island's most decorated Olympians, enjoyed a legendary weekend in Castellon, Spain, in November 2009. Within a 72-hour window, she set a trio of Female Open backstroke records that still stand today. Her 50m time of 27.72, her 100m at 59.31, and her 200m mark of 2:09.09 have outlasted over a decade and a half of challengers, including current standout Madelyn Moore.
On the men’s side, Jason Mastalir carved his name into history during a blistering four-month stretch in early 2009. Competing across Canada in Halifax, Toronto, and Quebec City, Mastalir set the 17-18 and Male Open records for the 400m, 800m, and 1,500m freestyle. His 1,500m time of 16:11.50, set in April 2009, remains the fastest ever swum by a Bermudian in a short course pool.
The archives also feature younger age group marks that have proved surprisingly resilient. Megan Lau holds two of the most durable records in the 8 & Under category, with her 800m freestyle and 400m individual medley times both dating back to early 2009.
In the 11-12 Male division, Jesse Washington’s explosive 50m freestyle sprint of 26.81, set in March 2012, has now officially crossed the 13-year mark. Washington, who went on to become a staple of the national team, set a standard for sprint speed that continues to elude the island's current crop of pre-teen talent.
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Monday, January 05, 2026
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Sharrieff Personal Bests as Bison claim H2ounds Podium
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Myeisha Sharrieff spearheaded a successful winter finale for Howard University as the Bison secured a third-place overall finish at the annual H2ounds Invitational in Baltimore.
Competing at the Mangione Aquatic Center, the Howard women’s swimming and diving team amassed 1,115.50 points across the three-day meet, holding off a strong field to finish on the podium behind runners-up Colgate University and winners Loyola Maryland.
The Bermudian standout was in top form from the outset, particularly in her signature backstroke events. Sharrieff delivered a career-best performance in the 100-yard backstroke preliminaries, clocking a blistering 56.11 to shave time off her previous personal record. She carried that momentum into the high-stakes 'A' final, where she touched the wall in 56.34 to secure a fourth-place finish in a deeply competitive heat.
The third-year Bison also demonstrated her versatility in the longer distances, navigating the 200-yard backstroke preliminaries to finish 17th with another personal best of 2:09.67. Sharrieff then returned to the pool for the 'B' final, finishing eighth in her heat with a time of 2:10.27 to consolidate her position in the overall standings.
In the sprint freestyle, Sharrieff faced a massive field in the 50-yard preliminaries, finishing 30th overall with a solid time of 24.74. Her contributions were equally vital in the relay events, where she served as the reliable lead-off for Howard's 'B' teams. She guided the 200-yard medley relay squad to a sixth-place finish in 1:44.74 and matched that result in the 400-yard medley relay, where the team clocked 3:50.59.
The strong showing in Baltimore provides a significant springboard for Sharrieff and the Bison as they prepare to resume their collegiate schedule later this month. With several personal benchmarks reset, the Bermudian international remains one of the Northeast Conference's most consistent performers heading into the heart of the 2026 season.
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Tuesday, December 30, 2025
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Elite Swimmers Rewrite Long Course Record Books in 2025
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The Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association can reflect on a year defined by extraordinary progression and a relentless assault on the long course record books. From the regional dominance of the Carifta Championships to elite showdowns at the U.S. Open, the island’s swimmers have consistently raised the bar across every age category.
The senior ranks have been led by the formidable Harvey siblings, who both enjoyed a prolific campaign on the international circuit. Emma Harvey underscored her status as a premier sprint specialist, closing out the year with a sensational performance at the Toyota U.S. Open in Austin, Texas. On 4 December, she stopped the clock at 25.69 seconds in the 50m freestyle, establishing a new national record. Her success followed a dominant display at the Bermuda National Championships in May, where she claimed a butterfly double, setting open records in both the 50m and 100m events.
Not to be outdone, Jack Harvey delivered a masterclass in backstroke during the TYR Pro Series in Fort Lauderdale. Across three days in early May, he methodically dismantled the national records for the 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke. His 54.56-second sprint in the 100m and a composed 2:01.05 in the 200m distance have solidified his position as one of the region’s elite backstroke talents.
In the age group divisions, 15-year-old Isabella Jones emerged as a rising force in the breaststroke. Jones secured two resident records during a fruitful spring campaign in the United Kingdom, clocking 35.62 seconds in the 50m at the East Midlands Championships before delivering a disciplined 2:49.65 in the 200m at the Derby Excel Spring Qualifier. Meanwhile, Connor Hupman showcased his explosive speed in the 15-16 boys’ division, storming to a 23.88-second finish in the 50m freestyle while competing in Ocala, Florida, this July.
The distance events were dominated by Thomas Cechini, whose grit was on full display at the Carifta Aquatic Championships in Trinidad. Cechini claimed a superb bronze in the 400m freestyle with a time of 4:07.78, a performance that doubled as a new national record for both the 17-18 age group and the Male Open division. His achievement was complemented by Elijah Daley, who traveled to the Coupe du Quebec in March to slice the 200m breaststroke record down to 2:23.59. As 2025 draws to a close, these performances serve as a powerful testament to the current depth and ambition within Bermudian swimming.
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Monday, December 29, 2025
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Swimmers Rewrite the 2025 Short Course Record Books
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 Marleigh Howes IslandStats.com
The season reached a crescendo in late November as Connor Hupman emerged as a dominant force in the 15-16 Male Age Group Division. During a blistering session at the Winter Age Group Championships on November 28th, Hupman claimed two records in a single day. He showcased his explosive speed in the 50m Backstroke, touching the wall in 26.82 seconds, before returning to the pool to deliver a clinical 57.93 in the 100m event. His performances served as a cornerstone for a weekend that saw local fans witness some of the fastest domestic swimming in recent memory.
In the senior ranks, Jack Harvey continued to cement his status as a premier Backstroke specialist. Competing in the Male Open Division, Harvey turned heads at the Winter Age Group Championships by slicing through the water to clock a 24.57 in the 50m Backstroke. It was a performance of pure power that solidified his place at the top of the island's rankings. Not far away in Ontario, Canada, Elijah Daley was making waves of his own. Competing at the Merrily Stratten Divisional on November 23rd, Daley produced a masterclass in versatility to set a new Open record in the 200m individual medley with a time of 2:00.87.
The Women’s Divisions proved equally competitive throughout the calendar year. Isabella Jones set the tone early in the spring, traveling to the Repton Easter Meet in March to challenge the 200m breaststroke record. Her disciplined swim of 2:48.41 stood as a testament to her endurance and technical growth in the 15-16 Age Category. As the year progressed, Jorgia White provided one of the most significant highlights by shattering the 1500m freestyle record. Her time of 18:35.90 at the end of November was not only a personal triumph but also established a new Resident Record, underscoring her status as a distance powerhouse.
The Howes family name also featured prominently in the 2025 archives. Bella Howes enjoyed a fruitful campaign during the Ontario University Championships in February, where she displayed remarkable consistency over the Freestyle distances. She claimed the 100m record in 57.23 seconds and the 200m record in 2:04.53, proving her ability to perform on the collegiate stage. Adding to the family's success, Marleigh Howes closed out the year with a gritty performance in the 200m Butterfly during the November championships, stopping the clock at 2:26.89 to ensure 2025 will be remembered as a landmark year for Bermudian swimming.
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