by St Paul's Collegiate School

Swimmers impress at Short Course National Championships

Our swimmers have performed exceptionally the recent Short Course National Championships.

After a full year since the last national meet in New Zealand six St Paul's swimmers swam at the Short Course National Championships in Hamilton from the 6th to the 10th of October.

Sam Peoples qualified for 2 events swimming a big personal best to finish 10th in the 16 year old 200 butterfly. Charlise Tordoff swam several relays for the St Paul's Club with a best of 4th in the Open 4x100 free relay. Charlise also swam 3 individual events with a best finish of 5th in the 17-18 year old 50 fly.

After returning from Tihoi and with little training Boston Tordoff did very well to gain four 14 year old age group medals with 3rd in the 50 and 100 breaststroke, 3rd in the 200 butterfly and 2nd in the 200 breaststroke.

Ollie Mouat had a superb meet with six 13 year old age group medals. He gained silver medals in the 100 Individual Medley, 50 and 200 freestyle and bronze in the 100 freestyle. His outstanding results came in the 50 and 100 butterfly where he won gold to claim his first national age group titles. Ollie showed a huge amount of mental strength in his final swim of the meet to claim a New Zealand Age Group record for 13 year olds in the 100 butterfly. Ollie broke two Waikato age group records during the meet.

Ben Littlejohn won the Open 50 butterfly to win his first New Zealand Open title. He also took silver in the Open 100 butterfly and in his best performance of the meet a bronze medal in the Open 200 freestyle achieving a New Zealand senior development qualifying time. Ben also won four 17-18 year old age group national titles and one silver medal across the freestyle and butterfly events. Ben broke Waikato age group records in two events.

Laura Littlejohn claimed her first New Zealand Open titles with wins in the 200 butterfly and 100 Individual Medley and also gained four Open silver medals. Laura won six 16 year old age group national titles and one silver medal. Laura broke 3 New Zealand Age Group records for 16 year olds in the 50 and 100 freestyle and 100 Individual Medley. She also achieved two New Zealand senior development qualifying times. Laura broke Waikato records in six events, including two Open records.

Many thanks must go to St Paul's head coach Graham Smith, assistant Ross Fisher and administrator Vicki Taylor for their outstanding mentorship and preparation of all the swimmers.