FROM AUBURNTIGERS.CSTV.COM
July 25, 2010

AUBURN, Ala. - Rising junior Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace and former Auburn swimmers George Bovell and Alana Dillette represented their home countries at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, July 18-23. Three gold and five silver medals were won between the three athletes.

Vanderpool-Wallace, the 2010 SEC Champion in the 100y free and 100y butterfly, captured two gold medals at the Games and set two meet records in the process. The Nassau, Bahamas, product took first in the 50m fly in a record time of 26.92. Her time of 59.74 in the 100m fly was also a meet record and was good for gold. She also earned silver in the 50m free (25.53) and 100m free (55.07).

“The whole meet was about having fun, swimming well and competing for my country,“ Vanderpool-Wallace said. “My goals were to swim fast and get my name out in the international community. This meet also gave me more confidence coming into the collegiate season.“

Bovell, representing Trinidad and Tobago, defended his 50m free title and took the gold medal in a new Games record of 22.23.

“It was good to go there and defend my title from the last Games,“ Bovell said. “It is always a work in progress and this will prepare me for bigger meets later this year. It is another step along the way.“

Bovell also earned two silver medals at the meet, taking second in the 50m back (26.08) and as the leadoff leg of the 400m free relay.

Bahamas product Dillette earned silver as runner-up to Vanderpool-Wallace in the 50m fly (27.25). Dillette also qualified for the finals in the 50m back and the 100m fly, taking fourth in the back (29.78) and seventh in the fly (1:03.37).