success in an international meet at Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada.

The local youngsters collected a trunkload of medals -- 11 in total -- but even more remarkable were the 41 personal bests set in the various age groups.

At a meet that attracted some of the best swimmers in North America, 20 competitors made it through to the finals of their respective events and, although none met the Olympic qualifying standard, five attained the qualifying mark for the Caribbean International Age Group Swimming Championships to be held in Trinidad in July.

Jenny Smatt once again led the medal haul, adding two more golds and a silver to her ever-growing collection. Smatt, who has already qualified for the Barcelona Olympics, placed first in both the 100 and 200 metre breaststroke and second in the individual medley.

Joining her on the top of the podium were fellow Olympic hopefuls Geri Mewett and Ian Raynor, who raced home ahead of the pack in the 100 metres and 50 metres freestyle respectively. In fact Bermuda swept the 50 and almost did likewise in the 100. Craig Morbey (second) and Mewett (third) followed behind Raynor in the former while Mike Cash finished runner-up in the latter with Raynor fourth.

Others getting among the hardware were Jason Krupp -- bronze in the 200 metres butterfly -- and Steven Fahy, competing in the 13-14 age bracket, who swam well throughout to reach four finals and collect a bronze medal in the 100 metres freestyle.

Apart from the medal-winning achievements of the experienced members of the tour party, national coach Gareth Davies was also delighted with the progress made and experience gained by the younger swimmers, many competing overseas for the first time.

"This has given them their first opportunity to swim in a 50 metre long course pool, which requires a different stroke technique ... and they have learned that,'' said Davies.

Fahy, Sean Smatt, Nicholas Van De Weg, Trevor Nelson and Trevor Ferguson were the ones to secure berths for the CISC. Smatt (13-14 age group) seemed to get better with every swim and capped of his display by qualifying for the 50 metre freestyle.

Among the nine to 10 year olds Abigail Madeiros and Elisha Miller stood out.

Miller lowered her personal best in three events and Madeiros went one better improving four of her previous fastest times.

Davies was also happy that they were able to swim a team in the 4x100 metres freestyle relay in which the quartet of Raynor, Morbey, Mewett and Cash came within four seconds of the Olympic qualifying standard, recording a time of 3:40.60.

Although most came from Ontario, there were swimmers from various clubs all over Canada, including Quebec and Nova Scotia.

Said Davies: "The meet was very successful for us, especially this early in the season. It was good competition.''