The Carterton Swimming Club is optimistic of their members making a strong showing at the national age group championships in Wellington this week. No fewer than 10 of the 13-strong Wairarapa team contesting the event, which has attracted 650 swimmers from New Zealand and overseas, are from the Carterton club andmost of them are expected to at least reach finals. Making up the Carterton line-up are Hamish Hammond, Carlin Peterson, Neil Van Wijk, Talia Hullena, Bailey Peterson, Hannah Hammond, Grace Hammond, Charlotte Pope, Katrina Simmonds and Joe Hammond, all of whom are coached by Russell Geange. Such is their numerical strength, in fact, that Carterton will be fielding for the first time in years a relay team. They will compete in the girls 15yrs and under section, both in the 4 by 50m freestyle and medley events. Preceding the national age group championships were the national junior championships with Carterton's Jock Cudmore and Kendall Peterson competing there for Wairarapa along with a number of Masterton swimmers. Both Cudmore and Peterson achieved top 10 regional and top 20 national placings. Peterson attained a second and third regionally in the 200m freestyle and the 200m individual medley which placed him sixth and 12th nationally. Along with Cudmore's 16th place nationally and three personal best times in four swims the meet provided an excellent ending to their season. The national age group championships will be followed by the New Zealand division two championships at Rotorua where Carterton will be represented by Samuel Pepper. This will be his first time in the Wairarapa colours and he is expected to make a bold showing in his events. The national championship season will conclude with the staging of the New Zealand open championships and world championship trials in Christchurch and already five Carterton swimmers have qualified to compete there & James Pope, Hamish Hammond, Neil Van Wijk, Talia Hullena and Grace Hammond. That they will be against quality competition virtually goes without saying, particularly with the carrot of representing New Zealand at the world championships in Rome in August providing a huge incentive for top notch performances.
