Swimming: Swimmers fly local flag high in Dunedin

SWIM: Swim Rotorua are pictured in this March 2015 photo. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Kaira Cox and Samantha Irving flew the flag high for Swim Rotorua at the Division 2 Competition in Dunedin.

Both competitors have come from nowhere in the last 12 months to take part in their first national event.

Competing in the freestyle and backstroke events, they both did really well.

Lakes High student Cox was competing in the 14 years age group. Cox's best result came in the competitive 100m freestyle. In the evening final, Cox stormed through on the second lap to take a deserved bronze medal with a big best time of 1m 04.79s. Cox also challenged for the medals in the 50m freestyle but had to settle for 5th place with another best time of 30.33s.

She placed third in the 200m freestyle final, but was disqualified for a starting infringement.

Despite that setback, Cox showed her characteristic determination to bounce back.

Other top 10 placings came in the 400m freestyle (6th) and the 100m backstroke (9th).

John Paul College student Irving 13, underlined her rapid progress over the last 12 months with a solid showing in six events.

Irving produced a fabulous 100m freestyle to drop her best time again this year. The clock was stopped at a swift 1m 08.86s.

Irving backed that result up with 1m 8s splits in the Bay of Plenty regional relays.

She blitzed her heat in the 50m backstroke to post another personal best time by almost 4s with an excellent time of 36.90s.

Head coach Alastair Johnson was pleased with the performances.

"Both Kaira and Samantha have shown great commitment over the last year. As a result their performances have improved beyond all recognition.

This was their first experience of competing at a national event, and both did a really good job which will no doubt encourage them to push on even more.

"To me both Kaira and Samantha personify our new club slogan of 'Swim Rotorua - where swimmers excel.'"