Big things are expected of Saint Lucia’s Antoine Destang as he takes to the pool next weekend at the National Aquatic Centre in Couva, Trinidad & Tobago. In his third appearance at the Carifta Aquatic Championships – and his second in the competitive 15-17 division – the Bolles School senior will undoubtedly aim to defend his historic sprint butterfly double from last year. This time, he may even set his sights higher.
At the 2024 championships in the Bahamas, Destang became the first Eastern Caribbean swimmer ever to complete the butterfly double. He was also the first male swimmer from the sub-region to win gold in that stroke in the senior age group. The year before, in Curaçao, he achieved the same feat in the 13-14 division en route to claiming the high points trophy.
With 53 points and a second-place finish in his division last year, Destang has already proven his calibre. Adding to his two bronze medals in the 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley in Nassau could solidify his position as the top swimmer in his age group this time around.
Now, in his final Carifta meet as a high schooler, the University of Michigan commit is also excited about his team’s prospects. Bolles teammate Tristan Dorville is expected to deliver a strong performance, and Destang recently hinted on Instagram that this may be one of the strongest Saint Lucia national squads he’s ever seen. The Jacksonville, Florida-based duo will be key members of a relay team with serious medal ambitions – a quartet that has been swimming together for over five years.
Next year, the Michigan Wolverines will trade one Saint Lucian record-holder – track and field All-American Aasia Laurencin – for another. Destang, a Florida high school state championship finalist, is already recognised as one of the top butterfly recruits in the class of 2025.
