Finau, Keepa mix it with the best

Jack Keepa. File picture

SWIMMING

GISBORNE swimmers Tyler Finau and Jack Keepa have been mixing it with the country’s best at the New Zealand Swimming Championships in Auckland.

The Enterprise Cars Swim Team pair have been what coach Gary Martin describes as “swimming themselves into the meet” over the week-long champs being held at the Sir Owen Glenn National Aquatic Centre.

Both have made it to finals, and Finau had an A final last night.

The 16-year-old qualified seventh from her heat of the 200 metres backstroke in a time of 2 minutes 19.70 seconds. She went on to place eighth in the final in 2:20.88.

The final was won by former Gisborne swimmer and top qualifier Emma Godwin (2:12.87), now with the Heretaunga Sundevils club.

Finau’s efforts over the week have included a personal best in the 100m butterfly. She made the B final of the 100m backstroke, finishing sixth, and was eighth in the B final of the 50m back.

Keepa had a strong 200m breaststroke on Thursday, qualifying 11th in a time of 2:30.16, then placing third in the B final in 2:26.86.

He was 12th qualifier in the 100m breaststroke in 1:07.50 and went on to place fifth in the B final in 1:08.20.

Former Gisborne swimmer Chris Dawson, now with Auckland’s Coast Swimming Club, has proved age is no barrier.

The 27-year-old was second in the 50m butterfly A final and third in the 100m fly A final.