Jess gets school colours for swimming

JESSICA Burgess, an ESP Kempton swimmer, has been awarded with school colours by Edenvale High School for both open water swimming and competitive pool swimming.

She added these accolades to her full Eastern provincial colours for open water swimming and colt colours for competitive swimming.Jessica, a matric pupil, has recently returned from the open water nationals in Cape Town. She came 17th out of more than 70 swimmers in the 3km event.

Jess is a multi-awarded provincial representative in a variety of aquatic sports over the past four years. She obtained a second place at the platinum mile and was fourth at Heie Safari. Her best time for the 3km event is 41 minutes.

As a youngster she was awarded colours five times for Gauteng provincial lifesaving representation, three years in primary school and two years in high school.

On a school level, Jess has done well every year. She has qualified five years in a row for the inter-high prestige gala, winning four medals – bronze and silver in grade 11 and bronze and silver in grade 12. Added to the medals are two records she recorded in the 200m freestyle event in grade 11 and 12. Jess was awarded the senior Victrix Ludorum and best junior open water swimmer at the recent prize-giving at Edenvale High.

The Aquatic Academy has been well represented at the inter-high prestige gala. Seven swimmers represented their various schools (Edenvale High and Reddam) this year, bringing home five medals. Edenvale High swimmers included Kyle McKenzie and Clayton Malaza.

Brooklynn Bohler swam in a qualifying relay team. Skye and Savannah Sheerin have represented Assumption Convent at a separate inter-high gala.

Reddam swimmer Travis Banks won a bronze in the 50 breaststroke. Savannah Mitchell swam four events at the prestige inter-high, winning a bronze medal.

Storm Ryder won another bronze for Reddam after qualifying for the 50m backstroke event in a time of 36.20.

Savannah also received Victrix Ludorum at Reddam.