Ear-shattering cheering vibrated around AMP Wai Splash last week, signalling the annual country schools swimming championships had hit a high note.
Swimmers from Norsewood and Districts and Weber Schools, Totara College and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori Tamaki Nui-A-Rua competed to become champions in the pool, but despite the fierce rivalry, the day was also about being good sports and supporting each other.
The loudest cheering came during the interschool relays at the end of a busy day of swim events.
Records were set in seven events, Abigail Max Totara, intermediate girls' 25m freestyle 20.85; Sophie Meek, ND, senior girls' 50m freestyle, 53.85; and senior girls' 50m butterfly, 43.10; Harvey Trent, ND, open boys' 100m backstroke, 1.50.91; Jozef Blank, ND, junior boys' 25m backstroke, 28.83; Angus Prouting, Weber, intermediate boys' 25m butterfly, 29.29; Amy Bell, W, senior girls' 25m butterfly, 24.53.
Results: Relays, 8 year-old: Weber 1, Te Kurapapa 2. 9-year-old: Weber 1, Norsewood and Districts (ND) 2, Te Kurapapa 3. 10-year-old: ND 1, Weber 2. 11-year-old: ND 1, Totara College 2, Te Kurapapa 3. 12-year-old: Weber 1, ND 2, Te Kurapapa 3. School medley: ND 1, Weber 2, Te Kurapapa 3. 100m freestyle relay: ND 1, Weber 2, Te Kurapapa 3.