Three ESP swimmers excel at Eastern Gauteng short course championships

Bernelee Doster of Aquatics Academy had an exceptional weekend of competition at the recent Eastern Gauteng short course championships at Boksburg Indoor Pool.

Swimming for the ESP Piranhas, she swam nine personal best times and was awarded the Eastern Gauteng Aquatic girls’ top point scorer for this short course championship.

Her 100m backstroke in a long course conversion time of 1:12:53 has qualified her to compete in the South African junior nationals next year. Bernelee posted 149 points on the board, eight finals and won two gold, two silver and one bronze medal.

Aquatic Academy’s second top scorer went to Annebel van Wyk, who swam eight personal best times and qualified for level three regionals in three events. Annebel won two silver and one bronze medals.

Mikayla Pon, Ashley Corns and Morgan Corns all qualified for many finals and are now on level three. With six months left in the season, they will be working hard for more qualifying times and possibly stepping up.

Tambai Dutiro swam very well, achieving eight personal best times and an SA junior time, but only for his present age group. He will need to lower this time to qualify for next year’s nationals, as it is only valid at his present age of 13 years.

Onalerna Matli won the Aquatic Trophy for the “most time off”. He swam nine personal best times and shaved 47.51 seconds off his previous times.