Three Columba College Junior School swimmers competed in the Apollo Projects Festival at Moana Pool recently, and the results achieved by all three deserve celebration!

Three star swimmers from the junior school attended the 2022 Apollo Projects Junior Festival - Makos - held at Moana Pool over the weekend of 4th - 6th November.

The event attracted over 280 swimmers from all over the South Island and is a modified Nationals for swimmers aged under 12 years. Columba students Sophie Wellington (Year 6), Méabh Russell (Year 5) and Gwendolyn Somerville (Year 5) all achieved massive personal bests ('PBs') in many of their races.

Highlights from the competition include:

Sophie Wellington: Smashed an amazing 7.38 seconds off her 200m backstroke time, coming in 5th place overall in the 11-year-old girls' category.

In the 50m freestyle, Sophie placed 10th place overall and in the 100m freestyle, she placed a very commendable 11th place overall (with a new PB!). Sophie achieved yet another PB in her 50m backstroke race, coming in 12th place overall and should be extremely proud of her results over the weekend.

Méabh Russell: Swam brilliantly and sliced an impressive 2.23 seconds off her 100m breaststroke time, coming in 10th place overall in 10-year-old girls. In the 50m breaststroke she placed 9th (with a PB), and then went on to carve 1.03 seconds off her 100m freestyle time despite feeling under the weather. Well done, Méabh, on a super weekend in the water!

Gwendolyn Somerville: Gwendolyn had a super competition and 'demolished' 40.99 seconds off her 200m freestyle time coming in 6th place overall in 10-year-old girls! What an incredible effort! She went on to place 10th overall in the 50m freestyle, 10th in the 100m backstroke, and 12th in the 100m freestyle - achieving personal bests in all these races. Gwendolyn also took 9.53 seconds off her 50m butterfly time. What a fantastic swim meet for Gwendolyn!

Sophie and Gwendolyn swam in the 200m freestyle relay for their Kiwi club, and both girls further broke PBs for their 50m freestyle splits (although unfortunately, these don’t officially count as their new PBs).

The team spirit and sportsmanship shown by all girls across the weekend were outstanding. Celebrating their peers' wins, commiserating with their disqualifications, and displaying pride and genuine joy in all their swimming community's achievements. Well done, girls! Columba College is extremely proud of you all.