NZ Secondary Schools Updates

Day 1 session 1 wrap from Wellington where our swimmers are competing in New Zealand Secondary Schools Championship (long course). Paddy Baylis got us off to a great start with a huge pb on the 200m free taking 2.35s off and a top 10 finish. William Spear rounded off the morning for the boys with 2 pbs in the 200free and 50fly, finishing 4th in the 200fly. Tiana Hill flew the flag for the coaches with two top ten placings in the 50 back and 100free. Tara Chemis continued her preparations for National Short Course with a well paced race in the 100free for a top 10 finish with Rachel Mead breaking through in the 100 free to make a national qualifying time in 1:03.30.

Day 1 session two and our swimmers continue to impress at national secondary schools championships. Tiana, Tara and Rachel all swam personal best times in the 200 free, with Tara and Rachel measuring their swims to come home fast in the last 50 both winning bronze medals in their age groups. Paddy started the afternoon with a solid 50 back, with William ending in the 400 free with a long course pb to claim fifth spot. Swim Rotorua also cleaned up in the officials raffle with a hard earned box of cadbury roses.

Day Two session one and its gold! Paddy Baylis stormed onto the winner's podium with a 15s pb in the 200im. Dominating his heat, he led from the backstroke leg setting a time those in later heats simply could not match. The boys good form continued with Jack making a strong return from illness with a pacey 50 breast, and William making 2 pbs in the 50 breast and 200im. Tiana, Rachel and Tara posted strong times in their freestyle events, with Rachel backing up last night's swim with a 200 back pb narrowly missing bronze by a touch finishing fourth.

Day two session two update and more medals for our swimmers. Paddy came home strongly in the 200 back to claim a bronze, with Rachel splitting a sub 30s 50 free on the way to a freestyle relay bronze with Bethlehem College. Tara placed top 10 for her 200im, as did Tiana swimming a 3s pb. Rachel continued her good form with fifth place and a pb in the 200 im. William added to a growing number of pbs in his 50free and another top 10 finish in the 200back

Final session at National secondary schools and another great day for our swimmers. The Rotorua Lakes High mixed relay team of Paddy, Jack, Tara and Tiana have brought home silver with a fine second place in a tense relay. Rachel swam 2pbs in the 100m back and fly for two top ten placings, with William finishing his last 3 races with 100% pbs and two top ten places. Paddy continued to score points in the 100m back as he works toward short course racing, and both Tiana and Tara finished strongly for further top ten places.
The official raffle was again cleaned up by our officials-well done Ellen Sherwood on winning a Cook Straight crossing!