Westlake closes on champions Wellington in State Schools Swimming Champs

Westlake Girls High School, helped by the diminutive Yeonsu Lee, have closed to within five points of defending champions Wellington College going into the final session of the State NZ Secondary Schools Championship in Hamilton.

That helped Westlake Girls close the gap on Wellington College in an exciting two-session day that created plenty of excitement and good-hearted competition within the record 123 schools competing.

Lee, 13, won a further four titles in the two sessions held today to take her overall tally to seven at Waterworld in Te Rapa.

Lee won the 200m freestyle, 50m and 100m butterfly and 400m freestyle as well as finishing second in the 200m backstroke and 100m breaststroke.

After a handful of swimmers dominated Friday’s opening session, the competition was well spread today with only Lee, 17 year old Caroline Baddock (Diocesan, Auckland), Rachel Smith (Westlake Girls) and Monique King (Long Bay College) winning more than one title.

Wellington College held their lead courtesy of their second win in the schools relay today, while Julian Layton (Napier Boys) and Liana Smith (Strathallen) won the breaststroke and freestyle skins respectively.

The leading points after three sessions are:

Wellington College 450, Westlake Girls 445, St Peters Cambridge 370, Auckland Grammar 360, St Kentigern 338, Westlake Boys 331, Diocesan Auckland 298, Hamilton Boys 292, Pukekohe High 277. Baradene 268.

CAPTION: Yeonsu Lee (Westlake girls) in action on her way to another victory at the State New Zealand Secondary Schools Swimming Championships in Hamilton today.