Day 3 Wrap of the 2024 Apollo Projects New Zealand Age Group Swimming Championships
The 2024 Apollo Projects New Zealand Age Group Championships past the half way point with another entertaining finals session this evening.
Finals started with the 15 & Under, and 16 & Over Women's 4 x 50m Freestyle Relays. United (1:50.15) swam to victory in the 15 & Under final with Coast (1:52.73) second and Wharenui (1:53.41) finishing third. In the 16 & Over final, the North Shore (1:46.10) ladies were led by Aquablack Summer Osborne to continue their freestyle relay dominance and finish clear in front of Coast (1:48.12) and Club 37 (1:50.12).
"It's really good to have more girls coming to North Shore. That's our 3rd relay win with more to come."
The Men's 200m Backstroke national title for the 17-18 years was a battle from start to finish for Blake Faleafa (Coast - 2:05.04) and Daniel Williams (Swimzone Racing - 2:05.13) coming down to the touch on the wall. Faleafa took the title just outside the Junior Pan Pacs qualifying time of 2:04.40.
The Men's 100m Freestyle lived up to the blue ribbon event name. Igor Russanov (Parnell) powered home in the 16 years age group to be clear of the field in a swift 51.55. Finn Harland (Coast - 50.55) once again showed his talent, winning by over a second ahead of silver medallist Kevin Zhang (Roskill - 51.76).
"I'm pretty stoked. John (Gatfield) has been saying all week that I can PB, especially after doing a PB in the relay last week. It's good to come out and live up to what my coach is asking for."
Tandia Fisher (Wharenui - 1:01.36) swam over top of Alanna Rawson (St Peters - 1:01.43) and Sophie Peters (1:01.61) for an exciting three-way race for the line in the Women's 100m Freestyle 13 years final. Milan Glintmeyer (Coast - 57.07) continued her winning ways, taking out the 15 years final in impressive fashion. Olivia Emmett (Club 37 - 58.00) battled with Mia Laban (Howick Pakuranga Visitor - 57.98) to win the NZ title in the 16 year old final.
Zoe Pedersen (Coast - 56.31) equalled the JPP qualifying time to hold off a stronger finishing Milana Tapper (St Peter's - 56.33) and Summer Osborne (North Shore - 56.75) to win the 17-18 year old final.
The race was on at the 300m mark in the Men's 400 Individual Medley 17-18 years final. Ryan Peck (United) turned in front of freestyle distance specialists, Larn Hamblyn-Ough (Coast) and Brendon Visser (Coast). Visser (4:35.49) flew home in under a minute but was beaten to the wall by Hamblyn-Ough (4:35.15) who surged late, with Peck (4:40.03) fading to third.
The night ended with the 15 & Under and 16 & Over Mixed 4 x 50m Medley Relays. United (1:55.84) once again took out the 15 & Under title for the second time of the evening ahead of Phoenix (1:56.57) and Coast (1:57.52). The team tactics were on form in the 16 & Over final with Zoe Pedersen (Coast - 1:50.03) holding off Luke Jackson (North Shore - 1:50:43) to claim victory by 0.4 seconds ahead of United (1:51.57).
Congratulations to all swimmers who competed today! Whilst there are too many results across all age groups, we have tried to highlight some of the close races and results from the day.
Don't miss any of the action with opportunities to watch from the grandstand pool side or on the Whakaata Maori YouTube channel.
