A squad of 12 Bermuda swimmers are competing at the prestigious 70th Annual Eastern Invitational at the Greensboro Aquatic Centre in North Carolina.

The Eastern Invitational is a premier long-course competition on the United States East Coast and features many of the region’s top age-group, senior, and collegiate swimmers. The meet provides an important opportunity for Bermuda’s athletes to race against high-level competition as they continue their development and pursue qualification standards for future international competition.

Coached by Ben Smith with team managers Rebecca White and Shirene Fulton, the BASA team includes Athena Dyer, Elanna Fulton, Allison Steynor, Katherine Wheddon, Jorgia White, Noah Fulton, Logan Jones, Jacob Leclerc, Jamie MacFarlane, Gabriel Maranzana, Noah Maranzana and Dominic Wright

Several members of the team have already achieved qualifying standards for the 2026 Junior Pan Pacific Championships, while others will use the competition as an opportunity to pursue the standards required for selection. The meet also provides valuable championship racing experience for athletes progressing through Bermuda’s national team pathway.

The team enters the competition with several swimmers seeded highly in their events and expected to feature prominently in evening finals sessions. The squad will also compete in freestyle and medley relays.

Smith highlighted the importance of the swimmers competing in a high-level championship environment.

“The strength of this meet makes it a valuable opportunity for our swimmers,” he said.

“Racing against top athletes from the United States pushes our athletes outside of their comfort zones and helps prepare them for future international competition. We have a number of swimmers who are entering the meet with strong seedings and realistic opportunities to reach finals, while others will be looking to achieve significant personal-best performances. Our focus is on competing well, gaining experience, and continuing the positive momentum we have built throughout the season.”

The Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association also took the chance to thank athletes, coaches, parents, volunteers and supporters “whose dedication makes these opportunities possible for Bermuda’s swimmers”.