Trembath, Ashby best of Kiwis on opening day in Hawaii

Dunedin swimmer Andrew Trembath was the best of the Kiwis on the opening day of the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Hawaii today.

The 18 year old from the Neptune club finished fourth in the final of the 100m backstroke held at the Kihei Aquatic Centre in Maui, which has attracted more than 300 swimmers 18 years and younger from USA, Australia, Japan, Canada, Mexico, China, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Trembath was fourth fastest in the morning heats in 56.54s, and improved that to 56.48s in the final, finishing 0.4s off the podium won by American Connor Green in 55.08s.

Waikato’s Bradlee Ashby was also in strong form, finishing fifth in the A final of the 200m butterfly. The 18 year old from the Fairfield club was second at the 50m mark but eventually placed fifth in 2:01.53, improving half a second from his morning heat. Wellington’s Liam Albery (Capital) was 13^th in 2:03.58.

The other swimmer in an A final today was Ashburton’s Grace Sommerville who was seventh in the women’s 200m butterfly in 2:16.47, and in a busy opening day, was 16^th in the 800m freestyle in 9:08.62.

In other swims Dominic Mildon (Howick Pakuranga – 1:53.70) and Julian Weir (AquaBladz New Plymouth – 1:53.71) were 14^th and 15^th respectively in the 200m freestyle; Rebeka Bradley (United Auckland) was 16^th in the 100m backstroke in 1:05.17 and Carter Edgecombe (Fairfield, Hamilton) was 13^th in the 1500m freestyle in 15:48.30.

Tomorrow will see Weir and Mildon in the 100m freestyle, Ben Walsh (Porirua City) and George Schroder (Aquagym, Christchurch) in the 100m breaststroke with Ashby, Trembath and Albery in the 400m individual medley.

CAPTION: Andrew Trembath was the best of the Kiwis on the opening day of the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Hawaii today.

The image is free for editorial use only. Credit: BW Media

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