Otago swimmers impress at national age groups

• Published date: 24 April 2024
• Publication title: Otago Daily Times: Web Edition Articles (New Zealand)

The team of 25 swimmers — representing Neptune, Kiwi, Taieri, Alexandra and Wānaka — also produced a swag of personal best times throughout the event at the Hawke's Bay Regional Aquatic Centre

Among the star performers was Alfie Weatherston Harvey (Kiwi), who hauled in four medals and broke his own Otago record.

He won gold in the male 16 years 1500m freestyle in 16min 38.19sec and silver in the 800m freestyle with 8min 38.85sec, shaving 9sec off the record he set earlier this year.

He also picked up silver in the 400m freestyle in 4min 14.11sec and bronze in the 200m backstroke in 2min 11.01sec.

Wānaka swimmer Luisa Palmer also fired throughout the week, even breaking an Otago record held by Olympian Erika Fairweather.

Palmer won silver in the female 14 years 50m freestyle in 27.91sec and bronze in the 50m backstroke in 31.59sec, bettering the record of 31.94sec set by Fairweather in 2018.

Palmer also won bronze in the 50m butterfly in 30.23sec.

Charlotte Aburn (Neptune) and Bella McEntyre (Taieri) picked up two medals each.

Aburn won silver in the female 15 years 400m freestyle in 4min 32.52sec and bronze in the 100m freestyle in 59.94sec.

McEntyre won silver in the female 14 years 800m freestyle in...