Columba Students Shine at Otago Primary School Swimming Champs

Columba College had a competitive team of 13 swimmers competing in the event on Sunday, with our youngest swimmers Iliana and Zara (8 years) starting off the day. There were many podium placings for the team and numerous personal bests being achieved, with the largest PB being clinched by Year 6 student Dylan (8 seconds in the 50m freestyle!). 

The 12 year old girls 50m freestyle had a most exciting finish with Sophie (Year 8) coming second by only 0.03 sec!! Sophie broke the 10 year old Columba record held by Meg Sycamore (2014) in this event (29.25 sec) and also broke her current record in the 50m backstroke (33.40 sec). 

The 11 year old 50m freestyle relay team, which consisted of Ava, Gwen, Madeline and Myla, had a very impressive win beating the Balmacewen Intermediate Team by 13 sec. The finale of the Championships was the 50m Medley Relays. The Columba A Team (Eivissa, Myla, Sophie and Georgie) came 2nd closely behind the Mount Aspiring College Team, while the Columba B Team (Abby, Ava, Emerson and Gwen) finished strongly in 8th. Well done! A list of all our swimmers and their achievements on Sunday follows:

Girls Under 9 years

Iliana

• 3rd 50m Freestyle (PB)
• 3rd 50m Backstroke (PB)
• 5th 50m Breaststroke

Zara

• 16th 50m Freestyle (PB)
• 15th 50m Backstroke (PB)
• 13th 50m Breaststroke (PB)

Girls 10 years 

Emerson

• 2nd 50m Freestyle (PB)
• 2nd 50m Backstroke (PB)
• 7th 50m Breaststroke (PB)
• 8th Medley Relay

Georgie

• 1st 50m Freestyle (PB)
• 1st 50m Backstroke (PB)
• 3rd 50m Breaststroke (PB)
• 2nd Medley Relay

Boys 10 years

Dylan

• 8th 50m Freestyle (PB)
• 8th 50m Backstroke (PB)
• 11th 50m Breaststroke

Girls 11 years

Ava

• 8th 50m Freestyle
• 12th 50m Backstroke (PB)
• 6th 50m Breaststroke (PB)
• 1st 50m Freestyle Relay
• 8th 50m Medley Relay

Gwen

• 2nd 50m Freestyle (PB)
• 7th 50m Backstroke (PB)
• 17th 50m Breaststroke
• 1st 50m Freestyle Relay
• 8th 50m Medley Relay

Madeleine

• 18th 50m Freestyle (PB)
• 13th 50m Backstroke (PB)
• 15th 50m Breaststroke (PB)
• 1st 50m Freestyle Relay

Meabh

• 4th 50m Freestyle (PB)
• 5th 50m Backstroke (PB)
• 2nd 50m Breaststroke

Myla

• 7th 50m Freestyle
• 2nd 50m Backstroke (PB)
• 3rd 50m Breaststroke (PB)
• 1st 50m Freestyle Relay
• 2nd 50m Medley Relay

Girls 12 years

Abby

• 22nd 50m Freestyle
• 17th 50m Backstroke
• 22nd 50m Breaststroke
• 8th 50m Medley Relay

Eivissa

• 6th 50m Freestyle (PB)
• 5th 50m Backstroke
• 5th 50m Breaststroke (PB)
• 2nd 50m Medley Relay

Sophie

• 2nd 50m Freestyle (PB and Columba Record)
• 2nd 50m Backstroke (PB and Columba Record)
• 3rd 50m Breaststroke (PB)
• 2nd 50m Medley Relay

A massive congratulations to ALL the Columba students who took part in this championship event. The set of results achieved by a school of our size is truly impressive, and we extend a big well done to the swimmers, coaches, parents and supporters who provide constant encouragement for our swimming stars. Thank you also to our amazing parent managers who continue to coordinate our young swimmers and provide pool side assistance always!