Age group swimmers in action in Melbourne and Brisbane

Several of the country’s leading age group swimmers are competing in the Queensland Championships and Victorian Age Group Championships this week.

Leading the way at Queensland Championships at the Chandler Centre in Brisbane was Thomas Wilson (QEII, Christchurch) who was third in the boys 15 years 200m backstroke in 2:12:23.

Maggie Franks from Central Hawkes Bay was eighth in the 15 years 200m backstroke in 2:24:78 with Ruby Adsett (Napier Aquahawks) ninth in 2:28:14.

Manawatu’s Mya Rasmussen (Kiwi West Aquatics) was second in the 15 years and over 400m individual medley, clocking 4:56.85 with Tauranga’s Ruby Matthews (Otumoetai club) eighth in 5:06.01.

Matthews had a busy time, coming back later in the session to place fifth in the 16 years 200m butterfly in 2:23.78 with Ruby Heath (SwimZone) seventh in 2:25.32.

Wellington’s Alex Pampalone (Karori Pirates) was ninth in the girls 17-18 100m backstroke in 1:08.70.

In the first two days of the Victorian Age Group Championships in Melbourne Kiwis featured in 23 finals with 11 making it to the podium.

Youth Commonwealth Games swimmer Eliot Lundon-Moore (Aquabladz New Plymouth) made two of those finals placing second in the 17-18 years 100m breaststroke in 1:05.22.

Canterbury’s Satori Dobbie (Jasi) was kept busy making finals in three of his four events including a second place finish in the 16 years 200m butterfly in 2:06.54.

Topping the podium was Grace Soo Choon (Hillcrest) in the girls 15 years 200m butterfly (2:23.68), Jordan Wilson (Parnell) in the boys 15 years 200m butterfly (2:08.58) and Zac Reid (Aquabladz New Plymouth) in the boys 15 years 1500m freestyle (16:12.86).

St Peter’s swimmer Luke Mitchell followed Reid home in the 1500m freestyle to place second in 16:39.85.

Thirteen year old St Paul’s club mates Thomas Griffin and Ben Littlejohn both also enjoyed podium finishes. Griffin finished third in the 200m freestyle in 2:08.63 and Littlejohn second in the 100m butterfly in 1:03.78.

Fellow thirteen year old Bianca Donnelly (Rotorua) was second in the 200m freestyle in 2:11.06.

Also making the podium was Lochlainn O’Connor (Greerton) who was second in the 14 years 100m butterfly in 1:00.00, Josh Gilbert (Stratford) who was second in the 14 years 200m individual medley in 2:13.33 and Tom Moulder (Parnell) who was third in the 17-18 years 400m freestyle in 4:07.69.

CAPTION: Thomas Wilson in action.