Nassau Guardian - Vareance Burrows, the 21-year-old Grand Bahama
native is through with college swimming eligibility but the short sprint
pool specialist wants to take his performances to another level.
"My goal is to be among the top eight in the world in my best
events," he said recently. Well, that's understandable. I believe he can
achieve that goal. The road ahead though, especially with his
eligibility finished at the University of Kentucky, shapes up to be
quite tough. The program offered him under university eligibility will
still be there now, but at a cost to him.
The regular therapy sessions, the re-habs, getting to and from the
various competitions he will need to keep his edge and also for
improvement, and the appropriate training routine will all have to be
covered by Burrows now. The adjustment he will have to make from being
one of the school's top swimmers and being catered at every turn, to
having to see to his own needs, is a huge one. Burrows is prepared to
soldier on, but admittedly he will need lots of assistance from within
the Bahamian system. He is presently on the Government Subvention's list
(albeit not in the top financial category). There is the Bahamas
Olympic Association's scholarship program as well. He hopes to
successful apply to the BOA in that regard.
He has been talking also to Corporate Grand Bahama representatives.
Burrows is one of the country's elite athletes with a lot of promise.
He has been on the senior international circuit only four years now and
has reached the point whereby a breakthrough is anticipated.
He broke onto the senior scene regionally at the 2006 Central
American and Caribbean Games. The 2007 Pan American Games and the World
University Games followed in 2007; in 2008, he represented his country
at the Beijing Olympics; and last year he competed in the World
Championships. He is indeed seasoned and ready now to move up the
ladder.
The next test for him will be the 2010 Central American and Caribbean
Games this coming July in Puerto Rico. Then, in October, the
Commonwealth Games take place in New Delhi, India. The Commonwealth
Games will pose much more of a difficulty for him if he is going to get
on the medal podium. At the games will be powerful swimming nations like
Australia and South Africa, along with New Zealand, Great Britain and
Canada.
"I want to get a medal in one or more of my events at both the CAC
and the Commonwealth Games. In India, I know that South Africa will be
very tough. They have a great 50 meters squad," said Burrows.
His program includes the 50 meters butterfly, the 50 metes freestyle;
the 100 meters butterfly and the 100 meters freestyle. He holds
national records in all of those events, 23.73, 22.39; 53.22 and 50.88,
respectively.
"I realize what is in front of me. To get where I want to be and
where I am capable of going, my life will have to revolve completely
around swimming and all that goes along with competing at a high level,"
acknowledged Burrows.
It's a tough hill for him to climb, because he is still one year away
from graduating with a Hospitality Management and Tourism major and a
minor degree in Business. For him it will be studies and training, with
little or no real time for anything else. Burrows is prepared to meet
the challenge.
"No success comes easy. I know what I'm up against and I am prepared
mentally for it. I know what I have to do," he said.
Burrows has come a long way in four years. He is not yet one of the
sport's upper crust just yet, but is certainly poised for the
breakthrough. He gives credit for support of his career to his parents,
Elvis and Stephanie Burrows; grand parents Hayward and Minnette Cooper;
the Central Zion Church family of Eight Mile Rock and Bahamas Swimming
Federation.
Go Vereance!
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