Bahamas: “Cool Ruler” Taylor emerged best in PB, School, Conference and Bahamian Best in 100-yard back of 45.95 and secured the third rank all-time in the CARIFTA region.
Lifespan 007 Open Water Swim took to Facebook and shared the update of the match. It stated, “Backstroke Barrier is Broken. Cool Ruler” Taylor set new PB, School, Conference and Bahamian Best in 100-yard back of 45.95!!Ranked Third All Time in the CARIFTA region.”
Lifespan 007 Open Water Swim added that at the start of the NCAA Division II Championship, the best Bahamian time in the 100-yard backstroke had been set by DaVante Carey of McKendree. He won the 2022 Nationals B final in a time of 46.79 (split time 22.20).
The best CARIFTA region time had been set by Trinidad and Tobago star Jeron Thompson. He had set a PB and Great Lakes Valley Conference meet record at the 2023 Championships of 46.31(split time 22.11).
Those standards were broken by Bahamian Lamar Taylor in the 400 yard medley relay. He swam to a new PB, school, conference and Bahamian best of 46.13(split time 21.74). That helped Henderson State University to new team record of 3:10.97.
More fire would be seen in the individual event. In the heat of the event, he cruised to a time of 46.42 (split time 22.05). In the final, he got the lead at the first 50 yards in a time of 21.94. He was the only swimmer under 22 seconds. He would not relinquish the lead and would win in a time of 45.95, a new PB, School and Conference Record and Bahamian Best.
It further noted that it is the fourth fastest winning time in NCAA Division II history. Taylor becomes the first Bahamian and CARIFTA region swimmer to lift the NCAA Division II Crown in this event. In fact, no other CARIFTA region swimmer, man or woman in either Division I, II or III, has ever won the 100-yard backstroke.
Additionally, he joins a select group of CARIFTA region swimmers that have ever broken the 46 seconds barrier. The list includes Jordan Crooks of the Cayman Islands representing Tennessee at 45.55 (split time 21.60)2022 and Trinidad and Tobago’s Dylan Carter representing Southern California at 45.77 (split time 21.89) 2018.
The region is now looking at the clock to see the first sub-45 seconds in this event.
