Primary school’s stars to swim for Mpumalanga

They effectively became the top junior and senior boys swimmers for all primary schools in Mpumalanga. Jimmy represented Laerskool Nelspruit and Dylan swam for Penryn Preparatory.

Within a week after this achievement both repeated the exact same feat at the Barberton Primary School Gala. Jimmy and Dylan were absolutely dominant in their respective age groups at the Uplands Gala too. Jimmy was chosen to represent Mpumalanga at the South African Schools Championship at Hillcrest Swimming Pool in Pretoria from December 10 to 15.

Nicci Viljoen of the Nellies was the surprise package of the 2015 primary schools swimming circuit. Nobody rated her to win the victrix ludorum at the Nellies interhouse.

Laerskool Nelspruit has been the Mpumalanga school champions for the past five years, winning the victrix ludorum at the interhouse was a great achievement for her.

Nicci won the 50-metre free, breast and backstroke and came second in the 50-metre fly. The 200 intermedley in the end decided the home of the victrix-ludorum trophy for 2015. Nicci’s determination and mental strength saw her win the race by a whisker. Being awarded the victrix ludorum at Laerskool Nelspruit instilled her with a new- found confidence and ultimately led her to win the exact same races at Uplands, the Top schools and Barberton gala.

Nicci was absolutely amazing in the 12 and under age group for girls. She has been selected to represent the Mpumalanga Schools team that will take part in the South African Schools Championship.

The Dos Santos surname has become synonymous with school swimming. Giano Dos Santos (13) and Jodi Dos Santos (9) are brother and sister. Both are equally feared by their opponents. They represent Laerskool Nelspruit and have been instrumental in the school’s phenomenal success this year. Giano was crowned victor ludorum at the Nellies interhouse gala.
He won the 200 intermedley, 50 back and 50 fly at the prestigious Top Schools Gala.

His competitors at the Barberton Gala suffered the same fate. Giano broke three long-standing school records for the
200 intermedley, 50-metre back and 50-metre fly this year. He will be an asset for Hoërskool Nelspruit next year. Giano’s departure for high school will definitely leave a void at Laerskool Nelspruit. He contributed to five consecutive top-school championships for Laerskool Nelspruit.

He has been selected to represent Mpumalanga at the South African Schools Championship.

Jodi will fortunately make up for her brother’s loss. She will contribute to the Laerskool Nelspruit girls’ points for the next couple of years. Jodi became junior victrix ludorum at the Nellies interhouse gala. She was crowned the victrix ludorum at the Barberton Gala too. She has immense talent and a will of steel. She is undoubtedly one of her school’s future stars.

All of these swimmers are coached by Gideon du Toit of the Nelspruit Swimming Academy.