St Paul’s swimmers returned to national action in style, breaking a host of records and claiming medals in the Short Course National Championships.
The meeting was held in Hamilton from 6-10 October, with six St Paul’s athletes competing.
Sam Peoples qualified for 2 events swimming a personal best to finish 10th in the 16-year-old 200m butterfly. Charlise Tordoff swam several relays for the St Paul’s Club with a best of 4th in the Open 4x100m free relay. Charlise also swam 3 individual events with a best finish of 5th in the 17-18-year-old 50m fly.
After returning from Tihoi, Boston Tordoff swam well to gain four 14-year-old age group medals with 3rd in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, 3rd in the 200m butterfly and 2nd in the 200m breaststroke.
Ollie Mouat gained silver medals in the 100m Individual Medley, 50m and 200m freestyle and bronze in the 100m freestyle. His best results came in the 50m and 100m butterfly where he won gold to win his first national age group titles, finishing with six medals overall. Ollie’s final swim of the meet saw him claim a New Zealand Age Group record for 13-year-olds in the 100m butterfly. Ollie broke two Waikato age group records during the meet.
Ben Littlejohn won the Open 50m butterfly to win his first New Zealand Open title. He also took silver in the Open 100m butterfly but will take the most pride in his bronze medal in the Open 200m freestyle, achieving a New Zealand senior development qualifying time. Ben also won four 17-18-year-old age group national titles and one silver medal across the freestyle and butterfly events, and broke Waikato age group records in two events.
Laura Littlejohn claimed her first New Zealand Open titles with wins in the 200m butterfly and 100m Individual Medley and gained four Open silver medals. Laura won six 16-year-old age group national titles and one silver medal. She broke three New Zealand Age Group records for 16-year olds in the 50m and 100m freestyle and 100m Individual Medley. She also achieved two New Zealand senior development qualifying times. Laura broke Waikato records in six events, including two Open records.
St Paul’s swimmers have gone from strength to strength under the guidance of head coach Graham Smith and assistant Ross Fisher, reflected in the strong performances from this meet. Congratulations to all involved.
