Curling & Paki Hit Junior Pan Pacs Qualifying Marks
- 16 hours ago
- 4 min read
Day Two Wrap – 2026 NZ Age Group Swimming Championships
The second day of the 2026 NZ Age Group Swimming Championships delivered more record-breaking swims and standout performances, headlined by Liam Curling (Coast) and Te Paki (Northwave) securing qualifying times for the Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.
Coast Swimming Club's Liam Curling got the session off to a flying start in the 100m freestyle, equalling the qualifying time for the Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships with his time of 50.76. Curling was challenged over the first half of the race before unleashing a powerful back end over the final 50m to bring the crowd to their feet as he equalled the qualifying mark and earned the 16 years national title.
Curling said the result came down to trusting his race plan and backing his finish.
"I just pushed it, tried to go for that PB, and smoked it! I just stuck to the race plan, and knew I could back-end it."
Grayson Coulter continued his outstanding meet, breaking the 14 years NZ age record in the 100m freestyle to add to the mark he set in the 100m butterfly on day one. Donald Tian (Coast – 52.38) claimed the 15 years national title, while Coast continued their dominance with William Sun (57.50) taking gold in the 13 years age group.
Tandia Fisher (Wharenui) was one of the standout performers on the women’s side, winning the 15 years national title and recording the fastest overall time of 58.15. Alex McIntosh (United – 58.44) won the 16 years title, with United swimmers claiming three of the top four overall placings. Marli Coverdale (United – 58.94) secured the 14 years national title after Fijian visitor Grace Khelan placed first overall in 58.62. In the 13 years category, Indie Herbert (Parnell – 59.03) claimed her third national title of the championships with a 2.65-second improvement from heats.
Quinn Pike (Hamilton Aquatics) continued her record-breaking championships, lowering the S19 NZ record again in the women's 100m freestyle multi-class to claim the national title in 1:03.68. Thomas Magill (S19 - Papamoa - 1:01.36) won the men's multi-class crown in the same event.
Te Paki (Northwave) delivered the other standout performance of the night in the 200m backstroke, producing a statement swim to go under the Junior Pan Pacific qualifying mark in emphatic fashion. His time of 2:02.91 not only secured the 15 years national title but also broke Ariel Muchirahondo’s NZ age record, marking one of the most memorable swims of the championships so far.
Paki admitted he exceeded his own expectations with the performance.
"I wasn't expecting that, honestly, but I'm happy I did it! It was the goal, but I wasn't really expecting it."
Lucas Bell (Wharenui - 2:05.53) won the 16 years title, Connor Mahoney (Mt Eden - 2:13.86) took the 14 years Kiwi gold after Tahitian visitor Paolo Grolli won that age group overall in 2:13.63, and Reagan Liang (North Shore - 2:19.30) claimed the 13 years title.
Laura Menzies (Wharenui – 2:17.65) was the fastest of the women in the women’s 200m backstroke, finishing just one second shy of the Junior Pan Pacific qualifying standard while winning the 16 years title. Jade Lyles (Phoenix Aquatics – 2:19.41) won the 14 years title, while Alanna Rawson (St Peter’s – 2:20.83) took the 15 years national title. Myla Duncan (Kiwi / Swim Dunedin – 2:25.64) claimed gold in the 13 years age group.
Michael Yang (Phoenix Aquatics) captured his first national record of the week, breaking the 14 years NZ age record in the 50m breaststroke with a time of 29.73 to win gold and dip under 30 seconds for the first time in his career. Frederick Mills (Tawa – 29.40) was the fastest overall and claimed the 16 years title, while Braden Turei (Heretaunga Sundevils – 30.50) won the 15 years national title and Tim Wei (Phoenix Aquatics – 32.34) took the 13 years gold.
In the women’s 50m breaststroke, Channelle Huang (North Shore) was dominant, winning the 15 years title in 32.76. Alex McIntosh (United – 33.42) added the 16 years national title, while Imogen Child (North Shore – 34.36) claimed the 14 years gold and April Lin (Phoenix Aquatics – 34.53) won the 13 years crown.
Jessica Johnstone (SB9 – St Peter’s) delivered a strong performance in the women’s 50m breaststroke multi-class, winning in 36.65. Summer Vincent (Dannevirke) broke the S14 NZ record with a time of 44.52 to finish fourth overall. In the men’s event, Charlie Alderton (SB19 – St Paul’s – 39.16) impressed to take the title, while Jonty Howland (SB6 – Dannevirke – 48.40) lowered his national record for the third time this week.
Soeren Wells (Wharenui) produced the standout swim of the men’s 400m individual medley, clocking 4:37.45 to win the 16 years title and cut almost 18 seconds off his heats performance. Kento Wangford (Parnell – 4:46.45) claimed the 14 years title, William Callow (Aquagym – 4:47.14) won the 15 years crown, and Nathan Hu (Tawa – 4:58.28) took the 13 years gold.
The women’s 400m individual medley also produced strong performances across all age groups. Paige Conley (Whanganui – 5:07.93) claimed the 16 years national title after Tahitian visitor Deotille Viideau won the age final in 4:59.93. Olivia Vivian (Wharenui – 5:16.69) won the 15 years title, Hope Wang (Phoenix Aquatics – 5:14.22) took the 14 years crown, and Jenna Borea (Jasi – 5:10.27) secured the 13 years title.
The relays rounded out the evening. In the 13–14 years women’s 4x50m freestyle, Parnell Swimming A (1:51.44) held off Porirua City Aquatics A (1:51.77) and Phoenix Aquatics A (1:52.59) in a tight finish. North Shore Swimming Club A (1:40.64) won the men’s event, with Grayson Coulter anchoring the team with a sizzling 23.38 split, ahead of Parnell Swimming A (1:41.54) and Waitakere Swimming Club A (1:43.22).
In the 16 years and under category, United Swimming Club A (1:48.05) took out the women’s 4x50m freestyle, with Parnell Swimming A (1:52.12) and Mt Maunganui Swimming Club A (1:52.71) completing the podium. Tawa Swimming Club A (1:37.18) held off Parnell Swimming A (1:37.91) and United Swimming Club A (1:39.46) in a close finish, with Roman Anderson anchoring Tawa to victory with a sharp 23.29 anchor.
Congratulations to all swimmers who won medals, made finals and recorded personal bests on day two. Racing continues on Friday 10 April with the 100m backstroke, 50m butterfly, 200m breaststroke, 400m freestyle and 4x50m medley relay. Heats coverage begins at 8.25am, with finals from 4.50pm via the Māori+ livestream.
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