Comet juniors fly flag high at summer meet

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

COMET coach Andrew Bull was hugely satisfied with the way his young team performed at the Hawke’s Bay Poverty Bay summer champs in Gisborne last weekend.

Comet were dominant in the junior age groups, with a minimum of two red (Comet) caps appearing in each final.

“A decision by the (HBPB) centre to double up the age groups meant there were far fewer rewards up for grabs and a lot of swimmers were racing against competitors a year older than them,” he said.

The Comet swimmers brushed this off and performed as a group “to a very high standard” to win top club overall in the 12 and under age groups — almost 100 points clear of second-placed Greendale.

They were also second behind Enterprise Cars Swim Team for top club overall, their best finish since winning the title four years ago.

Bull is confident the club “now have the base and drive as a team to take that top spot over the next couple of years.

“It’s an exciting time in the club as (head coach)Greg Meade has taken a step back from poolside after 40-plus-years in charge to allow myself and Bianca Shaw to run the swimmers to their design.

“An emphasis on leadership, commitment, responsibility and loyalty is key. Comet’s small but strong group of senior swimmers have this in abundance and are helping to show the juniors the way.”

Comet were also victorious in five relay events in the 12 and under and 10 and under age groups.

Nine-year-old Jodiesha Kirkpatrick broke a 22-year-old age group club record in the 100 freestyle previously held Katie Skrine.

Jack Keepa, 11, continued his rise through the ranks over the past 12 months with club records in the 50 and 100 backstroke.

There were gold medal performances from Angus Blair (1 gold, 11 silver), Alistair Gordon (1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze) silver), Keepa (3 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze), Kirpatrick (2 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze), Chris Niven (1 gold, 2 silver) and Petra Sparks.

The club also collected a swag of silver and bronze and a multitude of personal bests including an 18-second PB by Lucy Davis in the 200m individual medley.