Bovell III's national and world championship record of 21.20 seconds at the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome, Italy, confirmed his selection again as Swimmer of the Year. Bovel III swum 21.65 in the semi-finals of the 50m free, resulting in an eighth place tie with Hungary’s Krisztian Tazacs. In the swim-off, Bovell III established a new world championship and national record in 21.20 seconds with Tazacs swimming 21.42. With these 21.20, Bovell III was granted with FINA’s best swim title in the 18 and over male age group.
John-Williams too had a very successful year; the highlight being qualifying for the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games. She was the top 13-14 female at the majority of meets locally, and also won this accolade at the Carifta and CCCAN Championships. By the end of 2009, she had 15 new national records, four of which were Open records. She also established two new Carifta Records. The Blue Dolphins Swimmer also had the most outstanding swim of the year in 13-14 female age group with her record breaking 50 back swim of 31.16 at the ASATT Invitational - a swim which earned a FINA Point ranking of 766.