Medals come in threes at Australian Age Championships

Medals are coming in threes at the Australian Age Group Championships in Brisbane, with two bronze and a silver medal added to the team haul that now sits at six after two nights of finals.

Ciara Smith, from the Northwave club under coach Monica Cooper, was the standout finishing second in the girls 16 years 100m breaststroke. Her time in the final of 1:10.70 was just outside of the 1:10.52 that she set to finish second at the New Zealand Open Championships earlier this month.

Two Counties Manukau swimmers secured the other medals on day 2, with Kiana Swain and Tryon Henry both claiming bronze. Swain set a new personal best time to finish third in the girls 15 years 200m butterfly in 2:17.34. Henry who in March had an outstanding NZ Age Group Championships taking 5 titles was held to third in a time of 52.81 in the boys 15 years 100m freestyle.

Along with the six medals there have now been 13 other swims in evening finals. Action continues day 3 with 13 kiwis in the pool including medallist from days one and two. The Australian Age Championships that has attracted nearly 1900 of Australia’s best up and coming young swimmers and continues at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre until Friday.

New Zealand results from day two:

Girls 15 years: Chelsey Edwards (SwimZone) 100m freestyle 58.00, 9; Kiana Swain (Pukekohe) 200m butterfly 2:17.34, 3;

Boys 15 years: Tyron Henry (Howick Pakuranga) 100m freestyle 52.81, 3;

Girls 14 years: Tavarnya Howe (Pukekohe) 200m backstroke 2:21.48, 6: Georgina McCarthy (Hillcrest) 200m backstroke 2:23.88, 9; Georgina McCarthy (Hillcrest) 800m freestyle 9:15.90, 7;

Boys 17-18 years: Jason Churches (North Shore) 100m backstroke 57.80, 9:

Girls 16 years: Madeline Falconer (United) 50m freestyle 26.50, 8; Ciara Smith (Northwave) 100m breaststroke 1:10.70, 2; Ellie Eastwood (United) 100m breaststroke 1:13.33, 4;

Image: Ciara Smith Northwave Swimming Club, Northland