2011 New Zealand Swimming Championship: Fourth day - Final rounds update
Final session on day four of the 2011 New Zealand Swimming Championship encountered the dynamic swims of their national swimmers seeking their selection in the New Zealand team for the 2011 Shanghai World Championships, in July.
The session included the finals of the Women’s 50m breast-stroke, 50m backstroke and 200m butterfly along with the Men’s 50m backstroke, 100m freestyle and the 200m Individual Medley.
The session started with the Women’s 50m breast-stroke final, where Aqua Gym’s Abbie Johnston earned the gold medal in wonderful time of 33.14 seconds ahead of the Qeii Swim club’s Kelly Briden, who touched the wall for the silver medal in a time of 33.27
seconds. Both of these swimmers posted a time under the FINA time qualification standards and confirmed their spots for Shanghai. Neptune Swimming Club’s Katie Kenneally followed them on the podium for the third spot in an improved time of 33.48 seconds.
In the Men’s 50m backstroke, North Shore Swimming’s Daniel Bell conquered the gold medal with an astonishing swim of 25.68 seconds ahead of the Capital Swim Club’s Gareth Kean and United Swimming Club’s Eric Abba, who climbed the podium for the second and
third positions in a time of 25.80 and 27.15 seconds, respectively.
The next event was the Women’s 50m backstroke, where Aqua Gym’s Sophia Batchelor reached the podium for the gold medal clocking a 29.50 seconds effort. She was followed by North Shore’s Emily Thomas and Melissa Ingram for the silver medal and the bronze
medal in a time of 29.58 and 29.75 seconds, respectively.
In the Men’s 100m freestyle final, Carl O’ Donnell confirmed his spot for China by occupying the gold medal in a time of 50.55 seconds, while his team-member Andrew McMillan, earned the silver medal in 51.16 seconds. The third spot on the podium was secured
by Laser Mt Eden Swimming Club’s Velimir Stjepanovic, who touched the wall in a time of 51.31 seconds.
In the Women’s 200m butterfly, Natalie Wiegersma of Waverly Swimming Club claimed the gold medal comfortably with a timing of 2:13.85 minutes. She was followed by two of Aquabladz Taranaki Swim Club’s swimmers Charlotte Webby and Bianca Bradley, who earned
the silver medal and the bronze medals in 2:15.17 and 2:17.64 minutes, respectively.
Next was the Men’s 200m IM final, where two North Shore swimmers occupied the top two spots on the podium with their beautiful swims. Mitchell Donaldson won the hearts of arena by winning the gold medal in 2:04.24 minutes ahead of his team-member Steven
Kent, who clocked 2:04.74 minutes, while Carsten Corazza covered the third position on the podium in a time of 2:05.35 minutes.
The championship will continue for two more days to complete the New Zealand swimming squad for Shanghai.
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