the US when he posted five first place finishes and a second at the 25th Cherry Blossom meet in Washington DC.

Cowen, included in a party of 17 swimmers (12 girls and five boys), also clocked five personal bests, and only lost his final event, the 400 metres individual relay, by a fingertip.

In the 500 metres freestyle he defeated the district champion with a time of 5:26.81.

His other first place finishes were: 100m backstroke in 1:03.17; 100m freestyle in 55.18 (PB); 200m freestyle in 2:00.7 (PB) and 200m backstroke in 2:14.08.

Despite having trained little in the lead-up to the event, 75 percent of the Bermuda swimmers recorded personal best times.

Jennifer Roberts, like Cowen, had an outstanding meet with six personal bests in six events.

Fourteen year-old Candace Marson recorded five PBs including a second place in the 200m freestyle in 2:29.30 and a second in the 100m backstroke in 1:13.27.

Zoe Roberts raced to two firsts, in the 100m breaststroke (1:16.41) and 200m breaststroke (2:45.96).

Twelve year-old Rebecca Hanson won the 100m backstroke in 1:11.94 and Nuri Lathan took the 13-year-old 100m breaststroke in 1:12.32.

In total, 15 of the swimmers placed in the meet finals.

Others in the party included Jenny Dodwell, who was forced out of competition with a cut foot, Erica Frith, Kimberly Frith, Sian Hall, Michael Hanson, Trevor Leitch, Ross Mancell, Alicia Mullan, Jenny Munro, Jessica Sousa and Sarah Titterton.

Full results -- see Scoreboard