Whanganui Swim Team juniors gain valuable experience at National div 2 champs

Seven young Whanganui swimmers Blair Gowan (left), Ben White, Cheyenne Nightingale, Nikki Forlong, Jack Robertson, Lucy Somerville and Lennart Nowak with coach Andy McClay are possible future stars.

A team of seven young Whanganui swimmers aged between 12 and 14 gained valuable experience at the New Zealand Division 2 meet in Rotorua last week.

With over 500 competitors, a number of whom swum huge personal bests, the Toyota-sponsored Whanganui Swim Team came home with a bronze medalist in 14-year-old Lennart Nowak who was part of the Allstars (Lower North Island) relay team There were also some fine swims by the individuals.

Nowak also picked up 5th placing in the 50 metre freestyle, dipping under 27 seconds for the first time, and swam some excellent personal best times in his other swim.

Thirteen-year-old Cheyenne Nightingale picked up 6th in the 800m freestyle and 8th place (equivalent of making a final) in the 400m free knocking almost 10 seconds off her personal best in both events.

She showed great resilience after having her $300 race suit stolen to round off the meet with a 9th placing in the 400m IM in a borrowed suit in a personal best time.

Whanganui's other top 10 finish came from 12-year-old Nikki Forlong who finished 7th in the same 800m freestyle event as Nightingale with a 12 second pb.

The remainder of the team, Blair Gowan, Jack Robertson, Lucy Somerville and Ben White, all swam personal best times at the meet and the performances underlined the growing depth that the team now has.

A special mention needs to be made of the boys club relay teams who had two 14-year-olds (Nowak and Gowan), a 13-yearold (White) and a 12-year-old (Robertson) who raced in the 18 and under events and finished a creditable 17th in the freestyle relay and 19th in the medley relay.

The next event for the Toyota Whanganui team is the National Age Group Campionships in April where a team of six girls and one boy will race for national titles in Auckland.