Young Bermuda swimmer Mitchell Gariepy claimed three gold and two silver medals at the Coral Springs Swim Club Invitational Long Course Swim Meet, in Florida at the weekend.

Gariepy and his team-mates returned to the Island this week with their heads held high after finishing a respectable ninth out of 26 teams.

They featured 20 swimmers from 10-year-olds right up to 15 and over, and were racing against some of the top young swimmers in South Florida.

Top accolades among the squad went to 10-year-old Gariepy, from the Sharks Swim Club, who came away with five medals en route to capturing second place in the overall age group championship.

His gold medals were in the 50m and 100m breaststroke and the 200m individual medley, while his silver medals came in the 50m and 100m butterfly.

He also set and reset five nine and 10 age group records in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, the 100m backstroke, the 100m butterfly and the 200m individual medley.

His coach Rob DeSilva said: "Mitch is a very talented and hard-working young swimmer who continues to push himself to progress ever further in this demanding sport and as such, really deserves all of the success he has achieved."

Sophie Froud, competing in the 13 and 14-year-old age group, took the bronze medal in the 50m backstroke.

Her team-mate, Michelle Caza, also made the finals, finishing in sixth place in both the 50m and 100m breaststroke.

The Bermuda girls 11 and 12-year-old 4 x 50m medley relay team of Shannon Hassell, Anna Harrington, Somer Froud and Erin Haydon established a Bermuda age group record.

Erica Hawley joined Hassell, Harrington and Haydon to set yet another record in the 11 and 12 year old 4 x 50m freestyle relay.

Richard Goodwin, national swimming coach, said: "Bermuda should be proud of these placings which are a result of the hard work and dedication from the swimmers and the coaches, along with the support of the many family, friends and volunteers.

"In this highly competitive meet, the Bermuda team finished in a very respectable ninth place out of 26 teams.

"Of further note, apart from the many new personal bests, is that a number of the swimmers also achieved their 'A' time standard, which will secure them an invitation to join the Bermuda national swim training squad."