Aquatic superstars in the making
Two Benoni water babies are stars in the making and are definitely worth taking notice of, in their respective aquatic sports.
Jess-Keir Neely (17), from St Dunstan’s College, is a young lifesaver who has already represented her province and South Africa at recent championships, while Kade Wood (14), from Ashton International College, is a swimmer with massive potential.
Both swimmers have achieved level three status and train with respected trainer Donny Semple, at Soul Swimming Club, which is based at Clearwater Estate, in Boksburg.
Wood has steadily progressed through the structures as a novice to level three, and is one of the best young swimmers at junior level in South Africa.
The Rynfield resident, who has been racing competitively for three years, has competed at the level three championships and the National Youth Swimming Championships in the 50m and 100m freestyle, backstroke and butterfly disciplines.
His excellent performances in the pool at the national championships resulted in his selection to represent South Africa at the African Junior Championships, in Lusaka, Zambia, from November 30 to December 1.
In February, this year, Neely won the u-17 Victrix Ludorum at the Lifesaving South Africa (LSA) Stillwater Nationals and was selected to the LSA Stillwater High Performance Squad, as well as the Gauteng Province High Performance Squad.
The Morehill resident recently flew the flag for South Africa when she was selected for the South African national team that competed at the Commonwealth Stillwater Lifesaving Championships that were held in Canberra, Australia, from September 6 to 8.
Neely, who has been lifesaving since the age of nine, placed seventh in the 200m obstacle, sixth in the 200m super lifesaver event and was a member of the South African women’s relay team who won bronze in the 4x50m medley relay.
She was recently selected for the u-20 South African Lifesaving team for the BeNe Cup Lifesaving Championships that will be held in Belgium and the Netherlands, in November.
She is also a successful swimmer and has qualified for the Youth Nationals in swimming.
“People like Jess and Kade are the examples of what can be done through hard work,” said Semple.
“To see them improving and getting rewarded for their hard work is extremely pleasing.”
