Swim Rotorua excel at nationals

GOLDEN GIRL: Swimmer Bianca Donelley triumphed again in the 100m freestyle. PHOTO/FILE

Swim Rotorua enjoyed a successful 2016 National Short Course Championships at the Sir Owen G Glenn pool in Auckland last week.

The team of nine athletes won nine medals.

Bianca Donelley successfully defended her 100m freestyle title from last year to take the gold medal in the girls' 14 years age group with a swift time of 57.70 seconds.

In the 50m dash, Bianca was just pipped at the post and had to settle for second place with a personal best time of 27.00sec.

Further silver medals were secured in the 200m freestyle and 100m backstroke in personal best times of 2min 05.12sec and 1min 05.11sec respective. Despite a heavy programme, Bianca dug in deep to win bronze medals in the 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle and the 200m backstroke.

James Baldwin scorched down the pool to snatch the silver medal in the boys' 14 years 50m freestyle. His time of 25.36sec was a new Bay of Plenty record.

James also produced a top 10 placing in the 100m freestyle to pick up 10th spot with a time of 57.75sec. Also competing in the 14 years age group was Damon Cowie who had a prolific swim meet to smash all his best times. Damon punched in five top-10 performances, with the best effort coming in the 200m breaststroke where he took fifth place with a time of 2min 35.11sec. Showing steely determination, Damon then lowered that time by another two seconds in the open final to 2min 33.11sec.

Milla Theobald competed in the girls' 13 years age group and took home two bronze medals. After a great race, Milla had to settle for third place in the 400m freestyle, but had the consolation of bettering her best with a time of 4min 37.20sec. Her other medal success came in the 800m freestyle with a time of 9min 33.19sec.

David Boles shone in his favourite backstroke events to progress through to the open finals. His 200m backstroke time of 2min 08.48sec edged him closer to the Bay of Plenty record. His other top 10 places in his 16 years age group came in the 200m medley (eighth), 200m breaststroke (10th), 400m freestyle (eighth), 200m butterfly (eighth) and an excellent fourth place in the 1500m freestyle. Emily Spear (13), Sky Cox (14) and Kaira Cox (16) all achieved some great performances which augurs well for next year.

Head coach Alastair Johnson said the young team did well.

"All have raced their hearts out and have achieved some excellent times and performances. They will be pushing on and looking to win more medals and making more finals in 2017."