Best swimmers compete in season’s first gala

Riverview Prep School hosted Malelane, Bergland, Komatipoort Akademie, St Peter’s and Nelspruit Primary for the first league swimming gala last Thursday.

This is the first time local schools can compete in structured leagues, which were put in place by Mpumalanga Swimming. Schools were positioned in a league according to individual performances at the Top Schools gala last year, as well as size.

All times are recorded on a database at each league event to allow swimmers to be chosen for provincial colours and other awards.

Swimmers were previously spotted for provincials during club meets, but due to the database, will now have even more exposure.

Several records were broken, including the u/11 boys 50m butterfly. Danny Snyman swam it in a time of 39,31sec, improving the previous record of 46,34sec.

The three top swimmers of each item were announced every few minutes. Several swimmers of Riverview Prep managed to secure first place: Libby Ralfe in u/9 girls 25m butterfly, Luke Spear in u/10 boys 50m butterfly, Hannah von Faulkenhausen in u/11 girls 50m freestyle and Robert Butcher in u/11 boys 50m freestyle.

Browse a gallery of photos here.