Superb medal haul for local swimmers

NATASHA MARTIN/Timaru Herald

DOMINANT FORCE: Going out with a splash in her final event in Timaru North colours was 12-year-old Nicky Pio who won eight gold and one silver at the Eastern Districts swim championships at Maori Park in the weekend.

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It was a weekend of medal hauls at the Eastern Districts Swimming Championships and South Canterbury competitors were in the thick of the action.

The event, held at Maori Park, drew more than 180 swimmers from clubs in Timaru, Oamaru, Ashburton, Temuka, Waimate, Geraldine, Dunedin and Christchurch.

Timaru North club's Nicky Pio was the standout performer of the weekend.

The twelve-year-old, in her last meeting as a Timaru North club member, won eight gold and one silver medal in her age group.

Stephanie Lysaght from the Temuka swim club picked up three gold and three silver medals in the 10-years-and-under age group.

Timaru North's Jordan Hooke picked up three gold, two silver and a bronze medal, in the 14-and-under age group, and 15-year-old Daniel Hickey, from Temuka, won two gold and four silver medals.

Matthew Uys, from Timaru North, managed a gold, three silver and a bronze in the 12-and-under age group. Eighteen-year-old Matt Bonifacio won a gold and a silver for the Temuka club.

Timaru North's Anton van Vugt won three silver medals in the 15-year-old age group, while 11-year-old William MacLeod from Timaru North won four silver and three bronze.

Cool and windy conditions yesterday meant a challenging final day for both athletes and spectators.

South Canterbury clubs also had good results in the team relay events, despite the final event, a 750-metre freestyle relay going to Ashburton. Timaru North and Temuka finished second and third.

- © Fairfax NZ News