NZSS Swimming Championships 2021 by PNBHS

New Zealand Secondary Schools Swimming Championships

The NZSS Swimming Championships were contested in Auckland during the second week of the July school holidays with the PNBHS team acheiving some very impressive performances.

Thursday, July 22

The team of 11 swimmers began exceptionally well. The Under 16A 4x50m Medley Relay team of Alex Odom, Alex Willis, Cole Phillips and Ian Tsui won gold by over 3 seconds. The same team won Silver in the 4x100m Free relay with the B team of Blake Chase, Sam Moleta, Josh Carroll and Ryan Stott finishing in 4th place.

Friday, July 23

There were plenty of personal best times, with some big milestones being picked off.

Alex Odom was in fine form in the 15-year-old age group. He won Gold in the 100m Backstroke in a new Manawatu age group and School record time. He won Silver in the 100 Individual Medley, also in a new Manawatu age group and School record time. To complete the set of medals, he won Bronze in the 100m Freestyle.

Alex Willis broke the school record for 14-year-olds in the 50m Breaststroke in a top 10 effort.

Ian Tsui gained four top ten placings in a good day for him. Josh Carroll gained three top 10 placings and some great personal best times. Cole Phillips and Ryan Stott both gained two top ten placings.

At the end of day two the PNBHS team was placed second overall on points and second in the relays reflecting the great effort from all competitors.

Saturday, July 24

The whole team is swimming exceptionally well with numerous personal best times and top 10 results.

Alex Odom again led the way winning four more national titles today from four races swum. He got Gold in the 50m and 100m Butterfly, and in the 50m and 200m Backstroke. His performance in the 50m Backstroke was also a new school record. 

In addition to Alex Odom winning the 15-year-old 50m Butterfly, Cole Phillips finished 4th and Alex Willis 10th in the same event. Cole also had a 6th place in the 50m Backstroke. Alex Willis gained a credible 7th place in the 15-year-old 100m Butterfly.

Ian Tsui swam well in the 14-year-olds gaining two top 10 placings. Josh Carroll gained two top 10s in the same age group.

Sunday, July 25

In the last session, the swim team continued their impressive performances. The 15 and under 4x50m A relay team of Alex Willis, Ian Tsui, Cole Phillips and Alex Odom won Gold by a comfortable margin. The B team finished 7th in the same race.

Alex Odom won Silver in the 200 Individual Medley, in the process smashing his own school record.

Cole Phillips won Silver in the 50m Freestyle in a new school record, with Alex Odom finishing 5th in the same event. 

Overall, PNBHS placed second in the boy's competition and third for boy’s relays.

NZSS Swimming Championships 2021 - Medal Presentation at Assembly — Image by: PNBHS