Venezuela has scheduled 24 swimmers, 12 male and 12 female, for the 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games from November 15th-20th in Veracruz, Mexico. They’ve chosen that meet over next week’s South American Championships as the primary meet: the latter will see a roster of just 15, with most of their top swimmers heading to Mexico rather than Argentina.
This follows the typical pattern for Venezuela. In Olympic years, they put their focus on the once-every-two-years South American Championships; in non-Olympic years, the once-every-four-years CACG’s get more of their focus.
In 2010, Venezuela topped the medals table with 14 gold, 7 silver, and 9 bronze, though Mexico (6 gold, 19 silver, 12 bronze) earned more overall medals.
This year, Cristian Quintero will lead the way, though it will be in the middle of his NCAA season. Fortunately, he should have no trouble qualifying for NCAA’s even without using his taper to do it, so he should have the freedom to put some rest into this event.
He’s entered in the 50, 100, 200, and 400 freestyles at this meet, and will be defending his 2010 title in the 400 (that he won in just 3:55.19).
Among the other stars on this team is Albert Subirats. He is entered in a big schedule, with races in the 100 free, 50 back, 100 back, 50 fly, and 100 fly. Added to at least two relay entries, he will have a packed week of competition. He’s the defending champion in the 100 free, 100 back, and 100 fly.
Also on the team is Carlos Claverie, winner of three breaststroke medals at the Youth Olympic Games last month in Nanjing, China.
The full rosters are below. See men’s entries here, and see women’s entries here.
Women
- Larismar Arcila
- Andrea Garrido
- Carla Gonzalez
- Yennifer Marquez
- Simone Palomo
- Andreina Pinto
- Jeserik Pinto
- Wendy Rodriguez
- Arlene Semeco
- Mercedes Toledo
- Erika Torrellas
- Karina Vivas
Men
- Crox Acuña
- Andy Arteta
- Carlos Claverie
- Alejandro Gomez
- Marcos Lavado
- Jesus Lopez
- Eddy Marin
- Robinson Molina
- Cristian Quintero
- Juan Sequera
- Albert Subirats
- Danile Tirabassi.
Coaches
- Luis Moreno
- Orlando Gutierrez
- Rosalbo Verastegui
- Luis Villasmil (head coach).
As for the South American Championships, which run from October 2nd-5th, Venezuela seems unlikely to repeat the 21 medals they won in 2012 with a full roster. The star is former University of Florida swimmer and two-time All-American Roberto Gomez.
Women
- Eliana Barrios
- Elimar Barrios
- Annagrazia Bonzanti
- Marcela Gramcko
- Ana Fabiana Vasquez.
Men
- Jonathan Camacho
- Adolfo Delgado
- Andres Doria
- Kenek Gil
- Roberto Gomez
- Marcos Guarente
- Gabriel Hernandez
- Carlos Herrera
- Anthoine Khazne
- Cherly Sanchez.