Swimmers from The Armidale School were on the pace at the North Coast Independent Schools Sporting Association’s titles in Lismore on 1 March, with record-breaking swims and age championships amongst the mix.
Year 11 student Olivia Fenwicke was 17 years girl reserve champion, having a solid day in the pool including first in the 50m backstroke in which she hit the wall in 34.82 seconds, breaking the former record of 35:06 set in 2009. Olivia also swam faster than the previous record of 32:53 in the 50m freestyle, clocking 31.17 but placing second. She also scored silver in the 50m breaststroke, butterfly, 100m freestyle and 200m individual medley.
“The backstoke wasn’t my best swim but it was still nice to break a record. I felt happier with my freestyle, but full credit to the girl ahead of me who was more than a second faster again”, said Olivia, who started serious training in the TAS pool whilst she was a TAS Junior School student, and in later years with squads run by TAS, James Harwood Swimming School, and as a member of the Armidale Alligators.
Year 11 classmate Jessie Digby was the 16 year girls reserve champion, coming first in the 50 m breaststroke and second in freestyle, backstroke and butterfly.
Tom Ball was named joint 10 year boys champion and came out of the water with a first placing in 50 metre breastroke and second place in three other events. Other achievements included Lachlan Cruikshank, who finished first in the 18 years 50m breaststroke and second in 50m butterfly.
Strong performances from the TAS team of 25 boys and girls means a number are likely to be selected for the NCIS team to compete at the Combined Independent School’s championships in April.
TAS Year 11 student Olivia Fenwicke broke two records at the North Coast Independent Schools Sporting Association’s swimming championships on 1 March
