Young Para-Swimmer stars at national secondary schools swimming

While the sporting world is focussed on the Paralympics in Rio, a Para-Swimmer produced an eye-catching display at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Swimming Championships.

Chris Arbuthnott, an S9 category Para-Swimmer, won all four of his races today to make it seven gold medals from seven swims at the Wellington Aquatic Centre.

He helped push Palmerston North Boys High School to third place overall in the boys competition on the back of further outstanding efforts from Finn Kennard-Campbell and Jonathan Selman, who now have 10 medals between then including three wins each.

However their lead is just 45 points over Wellington College going into the final session tomorrow. Today the Wellington school were led by Ben Stirling, Jedi Morland-Janes and Matthew Peterson who have 12 medals between them including seven gold medals.

Wellington College were not the only local school to shine with 13-year-old Bronson Lloyd from Tawa College who is the second best individual with five gold medals and one silver from his six swims to date.

There is likely to be a new name on the girls’ trophy, but that will be a real dog fight with a mere 15 points separating two Auckland schools – Diocesan for Girls and St Cuthberts – with one session remaining.

While St Cuthberts have made their mark with depth of talent, Diocesan has been led by Gina Galloway, 15, with three gold and one bronze medal, and Alice Waldow, 13, with five medals so far.

The leading individual in the girls’ competition is 13 year old Brearna Crawford (Mt Albert Grammar) with six gold medals from six swims, to be one ahead of Gina McCarthy, 14, from Waikato Diocesan, and Chelsey Edwards (Chilton St James School) with four gold medals and one silver.

There is one session tomorrow from 9am.

Top schools after four sessions, girls: Diocesan School 1428, St Cuthberts College 1413.5, Waikato Diocesan 1098.5, Napier Girls 997, Columba College 820, Pukekohe High 724, Mt Albert Grammar 630, Baradene College 584.5, Wellington East 477, Wanganui High 445.

Boys: Westlake Boys 1634, Wellington College 1589.5, Palmerston North Boys 1206.5, Napier Boys 927, Hamilton Boys 837.5, St Andrew’s College 819, Auckland Grammar 664, Pukekohe High 594, Stratford High 556, Taupo Nui-A-Tea 490.

CAPTION: Brearna Crawford in action. Credit BW Media.

NZ Sec Schools