Napier Girls, Westlake Boys to defend college swimming titles

Napier Girls High School and Westlake Boys High School will defend their titles at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Swimming Championships in Wellington this week.

The championships have attracted 552 swimmers from 150 schools throughout the country from Kaitaia College in the north to South Otago High School in the south.

Napier Girls have dominated the competition, winning in each of the three years since a separate trophy has been at stake for the girls. Last year they had a tough battle, holding off St Cuthberts College from Auckland by just four points after an exciting final session.

Westlake Boys impressed throughout, holding off cross-bridge rivals Auckland Grammar, the previous winners in the boys.

A key to their success last year was the efforts of Finn Kennard-Campbell, who won seven gold medals, and is back in their team this year. He could be pushed for individual honours by Zac Dell from Pukekohe High School who returns after winning most medals overall last year with nine in the 14 years division.

Napier will be led by Ruby Adsett and Maddie Mason who won 11 medals between them last year.

There will be interest in the performances of Auckland’s Annabelle Paterson (Diocesan) and North Shore’s Yeonsu Lee (Westlake Girls), who have recently returned from competing for New Zealand at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Hawaii.

The championships at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre in Kilbirne begin with sessions at 10am and 4pm on Friday, 9am and 4pm on Saturday and 9am only on Sunday.

Results and Updates: swimming.org.nz

CAPTION: Finn Kennard-Campbell will lead Westlake Boys in defence of their crown at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Swimming Championships in Wellington this week. (Credit: BW Media)

NZ Sec Schools