Joblin rewarded for ‘huge’ 12 months

Jamie Joblin set Comet Swimming Club records in the 50-metre breaststroke and 100m individual medley when he competed at the New Zealand short-course championships in Auckland. 2017 file picture

THE past 12 months have been huge for Comet swimmer Jamie Joblin.

He capped off a great year by winning a bronze medal at the New Zealand Short Course Championships held at the Millennium Pool in Auckland.

Right from the start of the season, Joblin targeted the 100-metre breaststroke, Comet coach Andrew Bull said.

Since then, he had taken over four seconds off his best time.

Since this time last year, Joblin, 13, had set five club records and won numerous regional titles on his way to establishing himself as one of New Zealand’s most exciting young breaststroke prospects.

“Jamie has worked his way into a position where his speed has allowed him to be slightly off his personal best times and still be competitive, which is exactly what happened in the timed final at the national age-group champs,” Bull said.

A time that was not a personal best was still good enough for Joblin to be among the medals — a sign of a “very talented individual”.

“His determined attitude mixed with his affable personality — not just with his club peers but with his competitors, too — holds him in great stead,” Bull said.

“Every time he races, people who know him are greatly interested in his results. It adds to the pressure he places on himself, but he thrives on it.”

Holly Fisher, 14, had also risen rapidly through the regional and national ranks, Bull said.

Although she was slightly off her personal goals, she should be extremely proud of the way she had performed over the winter season and 2017.

She was a whisker off breaking Comet swimmer Laura Quilter’s 14-year female 100m backstroke club record.