State Insurance NZ Swimming Championships – Day 4 Heats
State Insurance NZ Swimming Championships – Day 4 Heats
The sprinters came out to play in the heats on day four of the State Insurance New Zealand Swimming Championships in Auckland.
Commonwealth Games swimmers led the way with Hayley Palmer, Daniel Bell and Emily Thomas all fastest in their respective heats in the championships that double as the official trial for July’s FINA World Championships in Shanghai.
In the battle of the 50m sprinters, Emily Thomas (HPC North Shore) edged training mate Melissa Ingram (HPC North Shore) in the backstroke in 29.64, Kelly Briden (QEII) best in the breaststroke in 33.26 and Daniel Bell edged fellow Delhi medallist Gareth Kean in the men’s backstroke in 26.30.
Taranaki’s Charlotte Webby went 2:14.54 to top qualifiers in the 200m butterfly ahead of individual pursuit qualifier Natalie Wiegersma (Waverley) and will chase the Shanghai qualifying mark of 2:10.84 in tonight’s final.
North Shore’s Steven Kent will look to emulate his illustrious older brother Dean after finishing fastest in the heats of the 200m individual medley in 2:06.31 just ahead of Carsten Corassa (Howick Pakuranga) in 2:06.54.
Carl O’Donnell (HPC North Shore) was fastest in heats of the 100m freestyle in 50.93 ahead of clubmate Andrew McMillan (51.35) and Serbian visitor Velimir Stjepanovic (51.44) as he chases a FINA B time in the final tonight to progress the chances of a men’s medley relay team for Shanghai.
Open Water qualifier Cara Baker (Howick Pakuranga) and the 200m and 400m freestyle winner Lauren Boyle (HPC North Shore) will fight for the 800m freestyle title tomorrow night after topping the qualifiers in a relaxed 8:54.06 and 8:56.76 respectively.
Tonight’s final session starts at 6pm.
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