Bernelee, Josh and Kyle invited to compete in South African Short Course Nationals

Galas have started – Covid style! The new rules and regulations are forcing us all involved in swimming, to rethink how to prepare and plan for an event. Only 50 people, including officials and swimmers are permitted in the pool facility. Small groups of swimmers compete at one time. St Benedict’s hosted the Eastern Gauteng event and supplied live streaming for coaches and parents to watch.

The Challenge was swum over the Heritage long weekend. Swimmers who had qualified for Level 3 or above, competed at the St Benedict’s Aquatic facility. Nationwide, the times were aggregated, and the top swimmers have been invited to compete in the SAN SC to be held in Pietermaritzburg from the 24th to 27th of September.

Seven ESP swimmers qualified for the Challenge. Josh Gillespie, Bernelee Doster, and Kyle Mckenzie (All South African National qualifiers). Tambai Dutiro and Annebel Van Wyk (Both SA Junior National qualifiers) and Mikayla Pon and Francois Allers (Level 3).

Bernelee swum 3 top 10 ranked times in the 50m Back. 200m Back and 400IM. Josh Gillespie broke the 1 minute barrier in the 100m backstroke event. A celebrated milestone.

Considering the past Covid restrictions, the times were fast. Our swimmers swam many of their best times. Kyle is focused on the 200m and 400m individual medleys, while Bernelee is focused primarily on the backstroke events.

Wishing Bernelee, Josh and Kyle a great competition at the end of the month.