Hunter claims spot in final at World Uni Games

Howick Pakuranga swimmer Daniel Hunter has forced his way into the final of the blue ribbon event after action on the fourth day of the World University Games in Korea.

Hunter finished sixth fastest overall in the semi-finals of the 100m freestyle to earn a place in tonight’s final in Gwangju.

The Auckland University student clocked a personal best 49.82s in his semi-finals with American John Conger leading all swimmers in 49.04.

US-based Kiwi teammate Sam Perry (St Peters club, Stanford University) also set a personal best 50.22 to be 10^th fastest, pipped for a spot in the final.

New Zealand contested one final with the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay finishing seventh in 8:14.63, taking more than a second of their heat time, and two seconds below their combined time set at the national championships in April.

They were led with strong efforts from Commonwealth Games swimmers Samantha Lee (2:03.34) and Laura Quilter (2:03.53) with a 2:02.59 lead-off swim by Georgia Marris.

Waikato’s Helena Gasson (Fairfield club, Waikato University) set a personal best 59.72, her first time under the one minute barrier, in the semi-final of the 100m butterfly to be 12^th fastest with Lee clocking 1:00.07 to be 14^th – neither advancing to the final.

Earlier North Canterbury’s Natasha Lloyd (Auburn University) was 14^th fastest in the semi-final of the 200m breaststroke in 2:33.08.

The fifth day of action will see Marris and Quilter in the 200m freestyle; Shaun Burnett in the 100m butterfly; Caroline Baddock in the 50m backstroke; Alex Peach in the 50m breaststroke and Michael Mincham in the 1500m freestyle.

CAPTION: Daniel Hunter in action. (Credit: BW Media)