United Swimming Club tops at State 2014 NZ junior swimming championships

Wellington’s Chelsey Edwards and Howick Pakuranga’s Jelani Freesir-Wetzell were in sevens heaven at the State 2014 New Zealand Junior Championships.

The pair finished with seven gold medals each to top the individual medal count at the championships for swimmers 12 years and under at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre in Kilbirnie.

Edwards, 12, from SwimZone Racing claimed two further wins in the final session today in the 200m individual medley and the 100m freestyle to bring her total to seven gold medals. She clocked an outstanding 1:00.15 was just 2/100ths of a second outside the national record held by Gabrielle Fa’aumausili, who was awarded the Emerging Talent at the Halberg Awards last week.

Freesir-Wetzell gained two further wins today in the 10 & under division 200m medley and 100m freestyle. She was the leading medallist overall with nine medals, comprising seven gold and two silver.

Tawa’s Joel Crampton topped the male standings with five gold medals and one silver in the 11 years division, today’s fifth win coming in the 200m breaststroke.

Tawa’s Jack Plummer had the most medals with nine comprising four gold, four silver and a bronze with today’s sole win in the 11 years 100m breaststroke.

Other boys with four golds included Andy Cheong from North Shore Swimming in the 10 years class and Auckland’s Marco Smeets from the United Swimming Club, with two wins today in the 11 years division 200m individual medley and the 100m freestyle.

He played a pivotal role in helping the United Swimming Club to top honours on club points on 1003. Howick Pakuranga were second on 962 from North Shore 625, Tawa 599, SwimZone Racing 428, Stratford 423, Masterton 394, Ace 330, Coast 328 and Napier Aqauhawkes 302.

Swimming New Zealand Events and Membership Manager Kent Stead said the new format for the championships proved a success with 98 clubs taking part.

“It’s the first time in many years that the Junior Championships have been held at a single venue,” Stead said. “It made for some great racing with some excellent personal bests set across the board. This resulted in a fantastic atmosphere with spectators and swimmers cheering on fellow competitors.”

NZ Juniors