Swim Rotorua takes top club award

The victorious Swim Rotorua team. Photo/Supplied

Swim Rotorua has taken out the top club award at the prestigious Central North Island (CNI) Championships.

Despite trailing after two days of racing, the Swim Rotorua team came storming back on day three with a stunning team effort to snatch victory.

Leading the final day charge over the weekend was 13-year-old Annelyse Cowie who epitomised the Swim Rotorua never-say-die attitude to win a treble of events. These came in the 200m breaststroke, 100m butterfly and 100m medley. Annelyse picked up two more emphatic victories in the 50m and 100m breaststroke to claim a clean sweep in her signature stroke.

James Baldwin underlined his growing confidence and skill set to produce a plethora of best times. His top successes came in the sprint events where he posted a quick time of 25.15sec in his favourite 50m freestyle, plus a 55.12sec effort in the 100m. James also anchored the open men's 4 x 50m medley to victory over fierce rivals Greerton and Aquabladz from New Plymouth.

Josh Balmer competing in the boys 13 years age group set many best times. Josh picked up maximum points in the 100m, 200m and 400m medley, 100m backstroke and 400m freestyle. Paddy Baylis, 17, was a surprise winner in the 100m backstroke with a superb effort of 1 minute 00.02sec. Paddy was also victorious in the 400m medley and 1500m freestyle.

David Boles, 17, produced some great racing with his sole win coming in his signature 200m backstroke with a swift time of 2 minutes 08.69sec.

Damon Cowie won four titles in the boys 15 years age group. Damon showed his growing event armoury with first places in the 50m and 200m breaststroke, 400m medley and 1500m freestyle. Bianca Donelley won the sprint freestyle bragging rights with an excellent 27.32sec in the 50m freestyle.

Notching up a superb backstroke double was Aaron Muchirahondo, 11, who paced and raced his events to perfection in the 100m and 200m. Milla Theobald, 14, was in fine form after missing the nationals earlier this month. Milla showed her class in her favourite butterfly events with victories in the 50m and 200m events.

The CNI Championships celebrates its uniqueness on the swimming calendar with athlete and coach scholarships presented during the event. Bianca and Milla both won athlete scholarships, and Rotorua head coach Alastair Johnson was awarded a coach scholarship.

Johnson was delighted with his team's overall performances.

"We just got better and better as the swim meet went on. Despite a very heavy race load, the whole team stood up and raced their hearts out. I am incredibly proud of them all as they simply got on with the job in hand and showed how good they are. More importantly, the CNI Championships has showed them how good they can all be with the right mindset, effort and support for each other.

"On a personal note, I am thrilled at being awarded a coach scholarship. The scholarship will allow us to bring in a strength and conditioning coach to work with the swimmers to improve their athleticism and strength."