Blenheim swimmers in fine form

Blenheim swimmers have excelled on the national stage over the past two months.

Local para swimmer Jack Bugler got the season underway with a superb performance in Auckland at the New Zealand Championships. He won two silver medals (200m free and 200IM) and three bronze medals (100m back, 100m breast, 50m free) in the multiclass events.

In November, Jack and coach Jenni Gane will travel to the Virtus Oceania/Asia Games in Brisbane to represent New Zealand. This is the second time Jack has been selected to compete in this event.

Meanwhile, the National Age Group Championships were held in Wellington over the school holidays.

Jack Love (15) and Max Skehan (13) attended, with Finn McNabb (14) unfortunately unable to attend due to COVID restrictions.

Both swimmers performed extremely well, making finals in events that ranked them in the Top 8 in the country (Jack Love 6th in 100 and 200 fly; Max Skehan 6th in 100 free). Jack qualified for an impressive eight events, choosing to compete in seven, while Max qualified for five, opting to compete in four.

Jessica Lovell and Minnette Richards also qualified for this event but chose not to compete.

Last week, nine swimmers represented the Blenheim club with distinction at the Division II Championships in Dunedin.

The team of Jack Love, Kyla Thorstensen, Sophie Kole, Finn McNabb, Joel Verran, Jessica Lovell, Oliver Mandeno, Katie Marsh and Nicola Lovell swam extremely well, with all swimmers posting PBs throughout the week.

Several of the Blenheim contingent managed podium finishes. Jack Love showed the way with three gold and a silver, Jessica Lovell bagged two gold and a silver, Joel Verran earned a silver and bronze while Finn McNabb picked up one bronze medal.

Also of note was the fact Blenheim finished in 10th position out of all attending clubs, despite only travelling south with a relatively small team.

All swimmers are now training hard for upcoming regional and national short course championship events. To date BSC has seven swimmers qualified for these events, each with multiple qualifying times.

For more information on Blenheim Swimming Club, please see their website at www.blenheimswimmingclub.com.