2016-04-06Staff Report 2 Windhoek The final gala of the 2016 season, the Bank Windhoek Aqua Pentathlon took place last weekend, with swimmers competing in all five disciplines to qualify as overall winners in their respective age groups. The Girls 9-10 age category was won by Mackenzie Spath, the only swimmer completing in all five events in this particular group. The Girls 11-12 age category was won by Tiana Esslinger, followed by Victoria Elmies and Hannah Murphy in that order. In the Girls 13-14 age group, Heleni Stergiadis took the honours, tailed by Vicky Botha and Jordan Blaauw in 2nd and 3rd places respectively. Only two 15-16 swimmers came into contention in this category, which was won by Kiara Schatz with Zune Weber adrift. In the 17-18 year category, Toni Roth finished 1st, leaving Molina Smalley and Zanré Oberholzer to pick up the pieces for 2nd and 3rd place. Disabled swimmer Caitlin Botha was the only 19-year-old in the field and recorded some excellent swims completing in all 5 events. In the Boys 8 and Under, Oliver du Rand claimed 1st spot, followed by Michael Bauernschmidt. The 10-year-old boys enjoyed good competition between them, but eventually Nico Esslinger took 1st place with Quinn Ellis and Connor Murphy in hot pursuit. Mikah Burger showed why he was the best swimmer at the recent Regional Level 2 Gala in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mikah stroked his way to 1st place in the Boys 11-12 category, while Krynauw Weber finished the runner-up spot, leaving Carl Bauernschmidt tailing in 3rd place. The 13-14 year old boys were in a strong battle for the podium when Corné le Roux won with a 0.15 second margin over René Viljoen. Johann Serfontein filled up the lining achieving a consolation 3rd place. Ronan Wantenaar won the 15-16 year old category with Armand Hagen in 2nd place. In the 17-18 year old category, Alexander Skinner dominated the race emerging victorious, followed by Carl-Hein Visser and Eugene Peters in that sequence. Jörn Diekmann was the only 19-year-old male in the field. The long course season will close with two upcoming tours in April, including the SA Senior National Championship, where both Diekmann and Seidler will participate. The final competition will be held in Mauritius at the CANA Zone 4 competition. The following swimmers will be in action: Antonia Roth, Kara Schatz, Zanre Onderholzer, Zune Weber, Ju-Ane Oberholzer, Dewald Nell, Ronan Wantenaar and René Viljoen. The team will be coached by Rentia Meyer. 2016-04-06Staff Report 2
