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The start of something extraordinary

Auckland swimmer impresses, Wharenui club lead swimming points

Auckland’s Bede Aitu continued on his winning ways on the second day of the New Zealand Division Two swimming competition at Invercargill.

The 14 year old won both the 100m backstroke and 200m individual medley to bring his tally to four gold medals and one silver medal from his five races to date at Splash Palace in the competition that has attracted swimmers aged 13-18 years.

The competition was more evenly fought in the girls, with 24 different swimmers achieving wins in the eight events so far.

Three girls have three medals including two wins comprising Holley Hogan (Pukekohe), Tamara Gurden (North Canterbury) and Toni Saunders (Taupo).

Equal top medallist in the boys’ competition is Howick Pakuranga’s Reuben McKay, also on five medals, after wins in the 15 years 200m freestyle and 50m breaststroke and second in the 200m individual medley to complete a busy second day schedule.

Other multiple medallists on the second day included Jack Ward, 15 (Central Hawkes Bay), Callum Sutherland, 14(Selwyn, Canterbury), Nicholas Lott 13 (Howick Pakuranga), Todd Cameron 18 (Te Awamutu), Dean Grant 15 (Orca, Southland), James Fleury 16 (Tasman) and Isiah Gepiga 16 (Mt Wellington).

All 16 victories over the four events in the girls’ competition went to different swimmers.

Gurden won the 17 years 200m freestyle and second in the 200m medley; Saunders 14 won the 200m medley and was third in the 100m backstroke while Hogan won the 200m medley after two medals on the first day.

Timaru’s Olivia Moore is the other swimmer with three medals, adding a silver in the 15 years 200m freestyle and bronze in the 200m medley to her win on the first day.

The Wharenui Swim Club from Christchurch continue to lead the club points on 425 from Howick Pakuranga 424, Te Awamutu 377, Aquagym (Canterbury) 267 and TBSS Central City (Auckland) 259.

NZ Division II