Howick Pakuranga swimmer tops State national junior championships

Howick Pakuranga swimmer Jelani Freesir-Wetzell was the individual star on the second day of the State New Zealand Junior Swimming Championships in Wellington.

The 10 year old from Counties Manukau has won a remarkable seven medals after three sessions at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre in Kilbirnie.

She has five gold medals and two silver medals, including four wins today in the 50m and 200m freestyle and the 50m and 100m backstroke.

Freesir-Wetzell is the leading individual, helping her Howick Pakuranga club into second place on club points going into the final session on Sunday.

Wellington’s Chelsey Edwards, from SwimZone Racing, also has five gold medals in the female competition. The 12 year old had three wins today in the 50m and 200m freestyle and 50m butterfly.

Leading the way in the male competition is Wellington’s Joel Crampton from the Tawa club who has four gold medals and one silver medal in his tally, with victories today in 11 years 50m and 100m backstroke.

North Shore’s Andy Cheong and Tawa’s Jack Plummer have six medals each, both with three golds. Andy got one win today in the 10 years 100m backstroke while Jack had two victories in the 11 years 50m freestyle and 200m breaststroke.

Auckland’s Marco Smeets from the United club also has six medals with two wins today in the 11 years 200m freestyle and 50m butterfly.He also played a strong role on helping his United club to the current lead on the points table on 764 from Howick Pakuranga on 693, North Shore 437, Tawa 434, Stratford 321, SwimZone Racing 300, Masterton 292, Coast 257, Ace 231 and Napier Aquahawkes 220.

There are 98 clubs taking part in the national junior championships for swimmers 12 years and under. The championship concludes on Sunday morning with the final session.

NZ Juniors