PHILIPSBURG–I am proud to report that Kael Richards, and his men’s soccer team at Keiser University won their school’s first NAIA National Championship title on December 6th in Alabama. Kael and the Keiser Seahawks concluded their season with 16 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw.
In Aquatics, swimmers Tatiana and Niobi Illis – affectionately known as the Illis Sisters competed at the 15th FINA Swimming World Championships in Abu Dhabi from December 16th through December 21st.
In her first international competition and in her one and only event at these Championships, the Women’s 100m Freestyle – 18-year old Niobi finished 8th in her heat with a time of 1:14.97
Older sister, 20-year old Tatiana is no newcomer to the international stage having participated at the FINA World Championships in 2019 in South Korea. Tatiana participated in two separate events in Abu Dhabi – the Women’s 50m Butterfly in which she finished 6th in her heat with a time of 31.99 seconds and the Women’s 50m Freestlye in which she did better with a 4th place finish in her heat with a time of 29.11 seconds.
I was fortunate to be able to speak to the Illis Sisters before their departure from Abu Dhabi and congratulated them – not only on their performance, but for the way they proudly represented country Sint Maarten. Also letting them know that countless persons stayed up those wee morning hours to cheer them on in real time.
Although Sint Maarten may just be a dot on the world’s map, the Illis sisters surely made a splash and a lasting impression and we are wish them all the very best and will do our part as Government to support them in their future endeavors, because as always sports matter.
