Swimming: Club's core group charge to medals

Tauranga's synchronised swimmers have continued to make waves nationally with a strong showing at this year's North Island secondary schools and Synchro New Zealand North Island championships in Auckland.

The Tauranga club returned with 29 medals between them.

Day one of the competition featured interschools, where Larissa Wilson and Sophie Ning from Aquinas College took out second in the duet, Tauranga Girls' College were first in the team competition and Eva Morris was third in her solo routine.

The club's core group of 13 to 15-year-old swimmers, who train up to 14 hours a week, reaped the rewards of their hard work with 17 medals between them, including first in the 15 and under team section by a substantial margin.

Jazzlee Thomas and Sophie Ning were second and third in the solo, with Eva Morris third in the interschool solo swimming for Tauranga Girls' College. Duets were particularly strong for the club, with Jazzlee and Eva first, Emma Weston and Janaya Worthington second and Sophie Ning and Larissa Wilson second in the Aquarinas category.

Younger swimmers also shone, some swimming in their first competition. Dannika Worthington was third in her 12 and under solo, while the Dolphin team came in first.

International Sarsha Younger, who continues to represent the Tauranga club even though she is now studying in Auckland, completed top honours for the club by winning gold in the senior tech and free solos.

Tauranga placings:

North Island secondary schools competition:

Duet: Larissa Wilson and Sophie Ning (Aquinas College) 2nd.

Solo: Eva Morris (Tauranga Girls College) 3rd.

Team: Eva Morris, Beth Taylor, Emma Weston, Janaya Worthington (Tauranga Girls' College) 1st.

Synchro Swim New Zealand North Island competition:

12 and under Solo: Dannika Worthington 3rd.

13/14/15 Solo: Jazzlee Thomas 2nd, Sophie Ning 3rd.

Senior Tech Solo: Sarsha Younger 1st.

Senior Free Solo: Sarsha Younger 1st.

15 and under team: Eva Morris, Sophie Ning, Jazzlee Thomas, Emma Weston, Janaya Worthington 1st.

13/14/15 Duet: Eva Morris and Jazzlee Thomas 1st, Emma Weston and Janaya Worthington 2nd.

Aquarina Duet: Sophie Ning and Larissa Wilson 2nd.

Dolphin Team: Zoe Beck, Estelle Erhorn, Amy Lowans, Maya Lowans, Isobel Pettit, Beth Taylor 1st.