16th March 2010,

Youngsters Making Some Ripples in the Pool

Last month, five swimmers took part in the 2010 Australian Age Multi-Class Swimming Championships in Canberra - a national swim meet for swimmers with a disability aged between 11 and 18 years old.

The races were held in Multi-Class (MC) format.  How does it work - swimmers compete against the World Record time for their disability classification.  The winner of the MC race is NOT who touches the wall first, it is the swimmer who gets the closest to the World Record time in their classification.

Deaflympian, Teneale Houghton, 18 years old (NSW), produced good swims close to her PB times set at the Deaflympics six month ago.  It was quoted in Swimming Australia’s website that Teneale did world-class swims and this was credited by a change of coach and training squad.

Three new rookies swam at this meet in the 11-14 years age group: Natasha Anderson, 14 years old (QLD), Elissa, 14yo and Nomiki, 13yo.  The meet gave them a great opportunity to race against their peers as well meet our elite and upcoming swimmers Teneale and Brad Jones.

Natasha showed her potential by winning the 50m Freestyle and was just short (by 0.35) of Teneale’s Australian Age Record for 14years old.  She had a lot of fun making new friends and was pleased to take home five medals: two golds, one silver and two bronze.

Elissa, 14 years old, did well in her events with three 4th places and one 5th place finish.  We hope she will continue to strive for better times in the future.

Nomiki, as a 13 years old, had a big swim meet with eight swims.  She was thrilled to win a silver medal in the 11-14 age group 100m Butterfly.  She has room for improvement in the future.

Brad Jones, a 15 years old, Canberra-based swimmer, didn’t have to travel far to compete!  He swam in the 15-16 age group winning three gold medals in the 50m & 100m Backstroke and 50m Butterfly.  He also won two silvers and two bronzes.  His times were close and within reach of the Australian Age Records for 15 years old.

Well done to all five swimmers: Teneale, Brad, Natasha, Elissa and Nomiki.  We look forward to seeing them in action throughout 2010.

 

Results at glance:

Teneale Houghton (17-18 age group) – 3 silvers, 2 4th places

Brad Jones (15-16 age group) – 3 golds, 2 silvers, 2 bronzes.

Natasha Anderson (11-14 age group) – 2 golds, 1 silver, 2 bronzes

Elissa (11-14 age group) – 3 4th places, 1 5th place.

Nomiki (11-14 age group) – 1 silver, 2 4th places, 1 6th, 2 7th, 2 8th

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