Day 3 Wrap of the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships
Monique Wieruszowski has continued her run of form at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Netanya, Israel, setting a New Zealand Open Record on day three of competition.
The 16-year-old was in action in the 100m Breaststroke overnight as she looked to recreate her fantastic silver medal win in the 50m Breaststroke from the previous day.
Wieruszowski swam 1:09.49s in her heat to break the New Zealand 16-years age record and qualify 12th for the semi-finals. She then upped the pace significantly in her semi, swimming 1:08.72s to break her New Zealand Open Record. Unfortunately, the time wasn’t enough to qualify her for the final, finishing 10th overall with the result showing the depth and quality of the field at the event.
Capital Swim Club’s Finn Harland was also in hot form, swimming in the men’s 50m Backstroke.
Harland swam 26.11s in his heat to qualify for the semi-finals. Knowing a fast time would be required in his semi the 17-year-old improved by more than half a second over the sprint distance, swimming a New Zealand 17-years record of 25.60s to place ninth and miss out on final qualification by one spot.
Zoe Pederson from Coast Swim Club was also in action overnight. Swimming in the 50m Butterfly Pedersen touched the wall in 28.04s to place 22nd overall.
Izzie Gibson was the final Kiwi in competition, contesting the 200m Backstroke. Gibson placed 17th in 2:16.71s.
Day four is a quieter day for the New Zealand squad with just two athletes in the pool. Izzie Gibson will take on the 50m Backstroke, while team captain Summer Osborne will be in action in the 400m Freestyle.
