Academy brings home 6 medals

THE 15 Aquatic Academy swimmers who took part under the ESP banner at the SA Level 2 Age Group Regional Championships brought home six medals.

There were in excess of 700 swimmers and 74 clubs at the event at Ellis Park swimming pool. Clubs from as far afield as Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Tanzania took part.

Although the competition was extremely tough, Liz Humphrey is proud of the team, both the swimmers and coaches.

“Our swimmers swam many personal best times and exceptional chunks of time were taken off in many swims,” she said.

ESP was placed 26th overall with 147 points and six medals, two gold, three silver and one bronze.

Savannah Mitchell scored 37 points for the club, competing in four finals and winning three medals. She fought her way through in the gruelling 200 breast to win gold. She also won silver in the 100 breast and bronze in the 50 breast.

Caleb Rebelo swam three finals, winning gold in the 50 back and silver in the 100 back. He scored 31 points for the club.

Jayden Trollope scored a further 23 points, taking an amazing 8.75 seconds off his previous best time to qualify for level 3 in the 200 breast, where he scored a silver medal.

Jayden also swam in the finals of the 100 breast, 50 breast and 100 back.

Other academy finalists were:

Josh Rebelo – 17 points, three finals in 100 breast, 50 breast, 200 breast and second reserve 50 back.

Ashleigh Stock – 16 points, three finals in 100 breast, 50 breast, 200 breast and second reserve 100 fly.

Liam Stott – seven points, two finals in 50 breast and 200 breast.

Nicholas Smith – five points, two finals for 200 individual medley and 200 back and second reserve 200 free.

Storm Ryder – three points, two finals in 50 back and 200 back and first reserve 100 back and second reserve 50 breast.

Jessica Burgess – one point, one final in 100 back.

Colette Fourie – first reserve 50 fly.

The ESP relays scored the balance of the points.