Last week at the National Aquatic Centre in Albany Howick Pakuranga Swimming Club showed that they are still one of the powerhouses of New Zealand swimming by coming third overall in the New Zealand Short Course Championships.
The senior squad, coached by Jana Korbasova, and the age group squad coached by Sheldon Kemp, combined for a total of 36 medals over the five day event.
The Short Course Nationals always turns up the heat for fast, entertaining racing and 2017 was nothing different.
The HPK team was smaller in numbers than previous years with the departure of some senior team members continuing their swimming in the American University system but really stepped up through the week long competition.
Standout performance would have to go to Pakuranga College student Tyron Henry who scored a load of age group medals and open finals.
The club’s two senior Para athletes, Tama Solouta and Tupou Neiufi once again picked up multiple medals across the week with senior National team member Daniel Hunter fresh from World Champs showcasing his leadership role around the pool for some younger age group athletes.
Medallists:
Tyron Henry — three gold, four silver — 16 year-old men
Bobbie Gichard — five silvers with three in the 17/18 year-old women division and two in the open women
Tama Solouta — two gold, one silver and one bronze – Para mens
Ryan Oliver — four bronze — 14-year-old men
Josh Kao — two silver — 13-year-old men
Thomas Hughson – two bronze in the 17/18 year-old men
Tupou Neiufi — three gold, one silver — Para women
Shaquille Va’atua — one bronze — open men
Daniel Hunter — one gold — open men
Phoebe Harris — one bronze — 16-year-old women
Relays — one gold, one silver, two bronze.
