Four young Alexandra-based swimmers recorded personal bests at recent national swimming competitions in Auckland and Hawkes Bay.

Backstroke specialist Liam Rees and breast stroke specialist Caleb Ludlow (both 16) swam amongst New Zealand’s elite swimmers in the New Zealand Open Championships in Auckland in early April. 

Alexandra Swimming Club (ASC) spokesperson Shelley Ludlow said it was an amazing experience for the pair, with a highlight being Liam racing in an A final in the 200 metre backstroke and placing seventh.

Liam and Caleb enjoyed sightseeing in the city of sails. PHOTO: Supplied

Caleb and Liam each raced in three distances; 50m, 100m and 200m. In backstroke Liam came 15th in the 50m, and tenth in the 100m. Caleb placed 14th (50m), 13th (100m) and tenth in the 200m breaststroke.

In the national age group championships, sisters and fellow Dunstan High School students Heidi and Sophie Winter joined the boys.

“Swimmers had a fantastic time…putting all their hard training to the test. [The] kids had been training up to ten times a week in the pool for months leading up to this,” Shelley said.

Both Heidi and Liam brought home bronze medals for age group races; Heidi for 100m freestyle (14 year old female) and Liam for the 100m backstroke (16 year old male).

Liam with his bronze medal. PHOTO: Supplied 

Shelley said the results were impressive, with many personal best times, many age group finals reached, and another Otago record for Liam in the 200m backstroke.

“Heidi made six finals and six personal bests (PBs)... Liam made four finals and three PBs… Sophie made four finals and two PBs… and Caleb made five finals and five PBs.”

 ASC’s Liam, Caleb, Sophie and Heidi. PHOTO: Supplied