Kyle Mckenzie wins Victor Ludorum at Eastern Gauteng 2016 Championships

Swimmers from the Academy, competing under the ESP banner swam well in the Eastern Gauteng Championships, held over the second weekend in December, claiming a fourth overall position from the 27 listed teams that took part. Unfortunately, due to the powers that be, the dates of the Schools Waterpolo Championships clashed leaving the Academy short of 8 swimmers – some being our usual top point scorers, such as Murray Copeland.

Kyle Mckenzie won the Senior Men’s Victor Ludorum scoring 85 points for ESP. He recently turned 16 (last October) and as such is one of the youngest in the senior age group.

Academy swimmers won 72 top 8 places (Finalists). Our individual medal winners were Kyle winning 2 gold, 4 silver medals. Savannah Mitchell earned 2 silver - 48 points. Nicholas Smith 2 bronze - 22 points. Mikayle Pon 2 bronze 25 points. Ashleigh Stock (12) and Jessica Burgess (29) 1 bronze each. In the relay events in which our swimmers competed, ESP won 2 gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze medals. The top eight finishers scored the points for the clubs.

Swimmers that took part in these Championships have been ranked for the overall half season. Swimmers from the Academy that have a Top 10 overall ranking are:

Kyle Mckenzie (1st - 16 and over).

Savannah Mitchell (3rd - 6 and over).

Mikayla Pon (5th – 9 and under).

Jessica Burgess (8th - 16 and over).

Jonathan Smith (8th - 4-15 years).

Clayton Malaza (9th - 14-15 years)

Kent Field (9th - 16 and over).

Nicholas Smith (10th - 16 and over)

Pic 1 and 2.Future Champs – 8 year old Kyle North. ( 2 finals. 6 points for ESP) and 9 year old Diego Dos Anjos. Both boys competed in the 9 and under freestyle relay that won gold.

Cancer fund raiser. All swimmers were requested to purchase pink caps on the Sunday of the championships in a drive to raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer research.

Front to back. L-R

1.Jonathan Smith. Keara Bothma. Colette Fourie

2.Caitlin Heuer. Savannah Mitchell. Savannah Sheerin

3. Chane Van Rooyen. Storm Ryder. Adrian Ristow. Jessica Burgess.

(Huddle on lane rope – left side) Ashleigh Corns. Zoe Stock. Danika Brechenmacher. Morgan Corns

Middle: Philippa Austin

Huddle on lane rope right. – Kerrin Burgess. Ashleigh Stock. Christina Pon. Kyle Mckenzie.