Wednesday, 01 September 2010
WHAKATANE swimmer Aaryn Gandy seems to be improve each time he hits the water.
At the recent Bay of Plenty open swimming championships in Mount Maunganui, Gandy defied his youthful age by making all six finals in the 15-and-over age group.
The 16-year-old broke Bay records in the 50 metres and 100m backstroke on his way to winning two gold medals. The 100m backstroke was an age group and open age record, previously held by Commonwealth Games gold medallist Moss Burmester.
Michelle Keighley also contended with swimming against older competitors and in spite of not making the podium made four finals, including a place just outside the medals in the 50m backstroke.
Fourteen-year-old William Gandy made all eight finals in his age group, collecting a gold medal in the 50m breaststroke, a silver in the 50m butterfly and a bronze in both the 50m freestyle and 100m individual medley.
Hope McAdams achieved personal bests in the 100m and 200m individual medleys and placed fourth in the 200m breaststroke final.
Ten-year-old Sarah Kereti also recorded good results. Fresh from competing for the Bay regional team, Sarah made all her five finals and recorded personal bests in the 100m individual medley and 50m backstroke.
Cian Harte encountered tough competition in her age group but made the most of it, recording six out of six personal bests, including taking an impressive four seconds off her 200m breaststroke time.
Tori Robinson was in the Bay regional team last week. She made three finals and managed a personal best in the 100m individual medley.
Brittany Cole swam well in her first competition of the season. She did not make any finals, but showed enough class in the water that it will not be long before she is back to her best.