Academy ends season with awards ceremony
he 2014/15 season will begin with a gala on June 21
AQUATIC Academy celebrated its last event for the 2013/14 season with an awards ceremony at their home pool.
Byron Dillon, the top EGA open water swimmer, who is awaiting ratification of a world record attempt made this past season, gave a humorous perspective to open water swimming, comparing pool cleaners to “big black shadows” in open water. He trains himself out on the west rand, taking on murky water in cold dams.
The Academy trophies were awarded to the following swimmers:
Isabel Humphrey Trophy (best overall girl swimmer: Savannah Mitchell (ability to focus in competition, race to her maximum ability, has shown good leadership qualities as an assistant academy captain, excellent role model, EGA provincial colours and EGA top league 15/16 female swimmer).
Micky Brand Trophy (best overall male swimmer: Caleb Rebello (all round good sportsmanship, humility with focused racing ability, excellent results in competition at level 2 regionals).
Natalie Hinton Trophy (the spirit of a champion): Storm Ryder (ability to keep training amidst a home life turned upside down due to illness, first time award for EGA provincial colours and EGA top 11/12 league girl swimmer).
Best senior girl: Jessica Burgess (2014 EGA colours for both competitive and open water swimming).
Best senior boy: Nicholas Smith (EGA Top 15/16 league male swimmer).
Most improved senior: Kyle Mckenzie (best EGA level 1 regionals).
Best junior girl: Ashleigh Stock (top overall points scored for ESP).
Best junior boy: Murray Copeland (top 10 EGA inter provincial points (8th).
Most improved junior: Colette Fourie (level 2 finalist).
Zero to Hero Trophy (the spirit of a hero, conquering challenges): Clayton Malaza (unqualified to level 2).
Zero to Heroine Trophy (The spirit of a heroine, conquering challenges: Caitlyn Stott (unqualified to level 2).
League novice girl: Phillipa Austin (top EGA league 8/U girl).
Novice trophies are only awarded to the youngest swimmers in their first season of competitive swim training that have shown a dedication to the sport.
Kendrick Chirumba (Fred) was recognised with a trophy for his service to swimming. Without him there would be no water, let alone warm water, for the swimmers.
Unregistered swimmers that have shown dedication: Erin Longhurst, Oyama Malaza and Keagan Bothma.
Provincial colours: Brooklyn Bohler, Jessica Burgess (competitive and open water swimming), Murray Copeland, Savannah Mitchell, Storm Ryder, Ashleigh Stock, Caitlyn Stott, Amber Trollope, Jayden Trollope and Nadine Vorster.
Provincial representation: Kent Field, Jonathan Smith, Nicholas Smith, Liam Stott and Savannah Sheerin.
The 2014/15 season will begin with a gala on June 21. All times and levels that swimmers have achieved in the past season will be written off the SSA data base and swimmers need to start from scratch, swimming all the events to achieve qualifying times.
This prevents swimmers resting on their laurels from the previous season. It also encourages swimmers to keep training and competing in the winter months, as the provincial selections are chosen from times swum in the present season.
