Talent well spread in division two swimming competition

The talent was well spread on the opening day of the New Zealand Division Two swimming competition at Invercargill yesterday.

Thirteen of the 16 winners in the girls’ competition came from different clubs while the winners in the boys’ divisions came from 12 clubs.

Overall nearly every region in the country enjoyed medals on the first day of the four-day meet for swimmers aged 13-18 years at Splash Palace.

Auckland’s Bede Aitu, 14, (Central City) enjoyed two wins in the 200m backstroke and 100m breaststroke along with second in the 50m butterfly to head the individual rankings.

Other boys with two wins included Howick Pakuranga’s Nicholas Lott, 13, in the 200m backstroke and 400m freestyle; Ethan Taylor, 13 (Waiau, Southland) in the 200m backstroke and 100m breaststroke] and Jack Ward, 15 (Central Hawkes Bay) in the 100m breaststroke and 50m butterfly.

The top medallist in the girls was 16 year old Brittany More (Wharenui, Christchurch) who had three third placings in the 200m backstroke, 50m butterfly and 400m freestyle, the only female to enjoy three podiums.

Hawkes Bay swimmer Jadah Elers, 15, (Greendale) had a win and a second in the 200m backstroke and 400m freestyle respectively, as did 18 year old Pukekohe swimmer Holley Hogan.

Wharenui Swim Club from Christchurch led the club points after the first day on 235 from Howick Pakuranga 210, Te Awamutu 170, TBSS Central City 148 and Coast (Auckland) 143.

The competition continues today with action in the 200m individual medley, 100m backstroke, 50m breaststroke and 200m freestyle.

NZ Division II