Howick Pakuranga Swimming Club competitors have dominated the medal tally at the last National Open Water Swimming event for the season
Held at Mount Maungauni and as part of the Banana Boat Ocean Swim Series, the New Zealand Swimming Secondary Schools competition brought swimmers from all around the country together.
Three swimmers, Grace Crowe representing Macleans College, Olivia Bates, of Howick, representing Epsom Girls Grammar, and Ella Crowe representing Pakuranga College, took to the water to represent their schools and club.
The youngest, Grace Crowe, swam in all three races in the 12-13 division.
In the 2.8k she secured a fourth place finish, followed quickly by the 1.25k race where she secured a hard-fought second place and in the final race of the day, the 500m, she was again pushed back in fourth place.
Grace was happy with her placings as this was her first national competition and is already looking forward to next year
Olivia put all her focus on the 2.8k race which she swam brilliantly picking up a gold in the 14-15 age category not only finishing 20 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor but also a very credible third in the open division.
She is definitely one to look out for in the future. Ella Crowe brought her form from the recent National Open Water Champs to secure victory in all three events.
Ella said that although there was going to be a quick turnaround in events as there was only about 20 minutes between the 2.8k and the 1.25k and 1 hour to the 500m swims, with this being her last secondary schools event, she wanted to try her best to secure all three titles for her school.
“I am happy I managed to do it,” she said.
