Rotorua swimmers performed with distinction for Swim Rotorua at the Winter Short Course Meet at the Rotorua Aquatic Centre.
Benjamin Keaney showed the Swim Rotorua breaststroke strength in depth with a couple of wins in the 100m and 200m events, and Trey Wiringi marked his competitive debut with an excellent third place in the 200m medley.
Rebecca Reid is another youngster coming through the ranks. Rebecca's success came in the 50m butterfly with a great time of 37.66s. Teammate Emily Spear produced best times and grabbed three wins, with the finest coming in the 400m medley with a time of 5m 39.79s. Milla Theobald was another athlete in great form to win four events with a big drop in the 200m backstroke and a best time of 2m 40.22s.
Stella Win dropped her best time by 10 seconds to win the 200m breaststroke in a great time of 3m 37.94s.
Thirteen years competitor James Baldwin produced some great sprinting as part of his final tune-up for the nationals, his best performance coming in the 50m freestyle with a time of 26.93s, while teammate Damon Cowie won the 50m breaststroke in a swift 34.72s. Samantha Irving took home five ribbons with three second places and two third places, with the best coming in the 200m freestyle. Bianca Donelley produced a 100 per cent best times in her three events, with the 100m breaststroke catching the eye with a personal best of 1m 23.89s.
Sky Cox is another improving athlete and took the top honours in the 200m backstroke with a time of 2m 47.67s.
Fourteen years competitor Alyssa Carnell enjoyed a great day to pick up two first places, in the 400m medley and 100m butterfly. Oliver Keaney was a worthy recipient to grab two seconds and two third places, which were all big best times. His time of 32.46s in the 50m freestyle was a great breakthrough.
Fifteen years competitor Paddy Baylis produced three best times in his three events, the pick of the bunch coming in the 100m butterfly with a best time of 1m 04.74s, which augurs well for his medley events next week. Teammate David Boles found a new gear in his favoured backstroke to hammer down a big best time of 30.27s in the 50m event. Ana Nagera sprinted her way to success with a couple of wins in the 50m breaststroke and 100m medley, while Kaira Cox picked up two wins, in the 100m and 200m backstroke. Mallory Walsh showed great perseverance to take second place in the 400m freestyle.
Sixteen years and older competitor Jack Weston was in fine form to break his own Bay of Plenty record in the 17 years 50m breaststroke, cutting it to 30.79s. Jack also took the sprint honours to win the 50m freestyle in another best time of 25.53s.
William Spear took the butterfly honours with a solid effort of 1m 04.20s in the 100m event. Tara Chemis was in speedy form to take four first places, which came in the 50m and 100m freestyle and breaststroke. Tiana Hill was just behind Tara in the winning stakes with a haul of three first places.
Head coach Alastair Johnson said it had been a good day of racing.
"It has been an excellent hitout for our athletes who are preparing for the National Short Course next week. The athletes have embraced the opportunity to sharpen their race skills and test their speed.
"The younger athletes too have been in impressive form with lots of best times. It is pleasing to see progress being made across all the squads."
