Swim South Africa Level 2 Regional competition
ESP swimmers comprising of members from Aquatic Academy and Debbie Mcgee, have recently competed at the SSA Level 2 Regional Championships hosted at Ellis Park. SSA set qualifying times at the start of a new season that swimmers need to work towards.
61 teams gathered from as far a field as Tanzania, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Surprising to many, ESP’s small team of 12 (16 qualified) swimmers managed to secure 12th place. Unfortunately ESP Kempton Park was not able to enter relays, probably loosing points. Due to an early Easter many families had booked holidays and their swimmers were unavailable.
Aquatic Academy superstar at this Level 2 gala was Kyle McKenzie who won 4 gold, and a bronze medal. He qualified for 11 finals, scoring 90 points. Second place on the score board, was Colette Fourie with 31 points and 1 gold medal, followed by Murray Copeland with 28 points. Other finalists included Caitlin Stott (20 points and 1 bronze medal), Jonathan Smith (20 points), Ashleigh Stock (14 points), Keara Bothma (11 points). Nicholas Smith with 1 bronze medal and 9 points. Clayton Malaza with 3, and Bernalee Doster with 1. Storm Ryder and Caitlin Ashford swam well and strongly supported the ESP team. ESP swimmers qualified for 39 finals.
Kyle (5) claimed 2 level 3 times in the 100 Breaststroke (1:13.16). 200 Breaststroke (2:38.19), and 200 IM (2:22.31).
Picture: ESP Finalists Level 2.
L-R Kyle Mckenzie. Caitlin Stott, Colette Fourie, Murray Copeland, Keara Bothma, Ashleigh Stock, Clayton Malaza, Jonathan Smith.
Absent: Nicholas Smith and Bernalee Doster. Thandi Copeland (manager)
