Northlanders swimmers lift medals at NZ Open Championships

Ciara Smith in action at the National Age Group Championships in Wellington last month. Photo/Mike Swords

Northwave swimmers Hayley McIntosh and Ciara Smith led the way for the Northland swimmers at the New Zealand Open Championships in Auckland.

Just five Northlanders swam at last week's open competition, four from Northwave Swimming Club and one from Bream Bay.

McIntosh (17) won three silver medals and one bronze in her four freestyle events, from 200m to 1500m.

McIntosh's time (8.41.87) in her 800m free swim put her under the New Zealand age group record of 8.45.28 set by Tabitha Baumann in 2013.

McIntosh, Northland's Swimmer of the Year last year, now trains with the NZ high performance squad in Auckland and is working towards qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

At the Swimming New Zealand Awards last Saturday night, McIntosh was also awarded NZ Swimming Alumni Zonal Emerging Swimmer for the Harlequins zone.

Smith (16) placed second in the three breaststroke events, with personal best times in her 50m and 100m swims.

Her 100m time was just 0.01 second outside the NZ record for 16-year-olds, 1.10.51, set by Annabelle Carey in 2005.

Smith equalled the 50m record with her swim in the final at the recent New Zealand Age Group Championships.

Teammate Annabell Simpson, 16, was eighth in 200m backstroke, 12th with a personal best in the 100m backstroke and 17th in 50m backstroke. Simpson is training hard for the upcoming Australian Age Group Championships which she will attend with Smith

Paul Linton (Bream Bay, 16), swam just one event, 100m backstroke, placing 18th with a personal best time.

Madeline Whittam (Northwave, 13) at her first open championships, was 23rd in 100m breaststroke and 26th in 50m breaststroke.