Pickett second in men’s 50 metre freestyle final

Gisborne teenager Michael Pickett led off the New Zealand team in the 4x100 metres freestyle relay at the Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires. He is pictured warming up for a race earlier this year at the NZ Open Swimming Championships. File photo loosens up before the men's 50m Freestyle race at the New Zealand Open swimming championships in Auckland last night. Picture by BW Media

After finishing second in the men's 50 metre freestyle race at the New Zealand Open swimming championships in Auckland last night, Michael Picket was given a pat on the head from winner Daniel Hunter.

Hunter, who is nine years older than the Gisborne teenager, retained his "Kiwi sprint king" title.

Hunter, of the Howick Pakuranga club, hit the wall in 22.60 seconds while Pickett, swimming for North Shore, clocked 23.13. Joshua Brown (Aquabladz New Plymouth) was third in 23.34.

Pickett broke his own New Zealand age group record of 23.14 in the heats, clocking 23.08.

Hunter holds the open record of 22.31.

Former Comet Swimming Club member Emma Godwin, now with the Heretaunga Sundevils club, was second in the women’s 100m backstroke in 1 minute 2.34 seconds. Gina Galloway (United) won in 1.02.25.