Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 27, 2026 – The St. Kitts & Nevis Aquatics Federation (SKNAF) has formally announced its 18-member national swimming team set to compete at the upcoming 2026 Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Swimming Championships, scheduled to run November 6 through 8 at the Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre in Saint Lucia. Curated based on consistent standout performances across local and regional competitive meets throughout the 2026 season, the roster features young swimmers spanning multiple age divisions from both islands of the twin-island federation, who will test their training against top emerging talent from across the Eastern Caribbean. The full age-group breakdown of the competitive squad includes: two female swimmers in the 8 & under category, Filippa Denne and Zheneje Blondell-Browne; two male swimmers in the same 8 & under bracket, Akimba Cornelius and Jayveer Lake; Edith Denne as the sole representative for the 9-10 girls’ division; and three male swimmers in the 9-10 boys’ category, Gaj Leonce, Rhaejaan Jacobs, and Clijae Christmas. For the 11-12 boys’ division, the team will field four athletes: Valentino Esposito, TeAdrian Tross, Greyson Burrell, and Saulo Sahely. Skyla Connor will represent the nation in the 13-14 girls’ age group, while the 13-14 boys’ division features Austin Williams, Abhijith Srinivasan, and Nazanu Chiverton. Rounding out the older age brackets, Jazzelle Connor will compete in the 15-17 girls’ category, and Aunri Pemberton will represent St. Kitts & Nevis in the 15-17 boys’ division. Leading the delegation off the pool deck are a dedicated support team: MacLevon Tross serving as Team Manager, James Weekes as Head Coach, Eldon Thomas as Assistant Coach, and Camilla Dennel acting as official chaperone. For every young athlete selected, the regional championship marks a pivotal milestone in their competitive journey, offering a high-stakes platform to translate months of rigorous training into in-competition results, chase personal best timings, and benchmark their skill development against peer talent from neighboring OECS nations. SKNAF President Eldon Thomas extended official congratulations to all rostered swimmers in a formal statement, emphasizing the steady, cross-generational progress unfolding across the federation’s local club network. “We are deeply heartened by the size of this year’s OECS squad, and the consistent strides we are seeing across every age group and participating club,” Thomas noted. “Every single selection is the product of hundreds of hours of early-morning training sessions, the unwavering commitment of our coaching staff, and the quiet, consistent support of family members who remove barriers so these young people can chase their athletic aspirations. We are proud of every swimmer who earned their spot, and cannot wait to watch them take this next major step in their sporting career while carrying the St. Kitts & Nevis flag on the regional stage.” The federation also took the opportunity to publicly recognize and thank its network of local partners, whose financial and logistical support has made the team’s participation possible: the St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee (SKNOC), Espo Construction, Natalia Esposito, Royal St. Kitts Hotel, St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank, the Nevis Island Administration, and Tappwater Caribbean. Officials noted that this collective backing plays a critical role in expanding access to competitive aquatics for young people across the twin-island nation, and creating pathways for emerging swimmers to compete at international regional events. SKNAF closed its announcement by extending full well-wishes to the entire 18-athlete squad and its support staff, expressing full confidence that Team St. Kitts & Nevis will deliver strong, competitive performances and represent their home nation with pride in Saint Lucia next month.
St, Kitts & Nevis Aquatics Federation announces team for 2026 OECS Swimming Championships
