Gold medal rush for Hawke's Bay teens at national swim champs

Greendale Swim Club's Caleb Carlisle, left, 15, and Kate Hurley, 13, of Napier Aquahawks Swim Club, took home five gold medals between them. Photo / Paul Taylor

It was a gold medal delight for two Hawke's Bay teens at this year's national age group swimming championships.

Four Hawke's Bay swim teams headed down for the competition held in Wellington over four days recently, with three having podium finishes.

Thirteen-year-old Kate Hurley, of Napier Aquahawks Swim Club, took home three golds in the 200m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke and 400m medley.

She also won silver in the 200m medley and 50m breaststroke.

Four Hawke's Bay swim teams took part in the National Age Group Swimming Championships in Wellington with three having podium finishes. Photo / Paul Taylor

Kate said her performance exceeded her expectations, having just celebrated her birthday two weeks before.

"I was hoping for a podium finish or two.

"I am very happy with my times and performance for my first NZ national meet of this level."

She is now working towards her New Zealand short course in August and achieving New Zealand development squad times and standards.

Breeze van Veldhuizan, also 13 and of Napier Aquahawks Swim Club, won silver in 200m backstroke and bronze in the 200m medley.

Zoe Ennor, 13, took home three bronzes for 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke.

Greendale Swim Club's Caleb Carlisle, 15, was also happy with his overall results, having come away with two gold medals in the 100m free and 100m fly.

Caleb Carlisle won two golds in the 100m free and 100m fly and Kate Hurley, 13, won three golds in the 200m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke and 400m medley. Photo / Paul Taylor

He also won one silver in the 50m fly, and a bronze in the 50m free.

"I went into nationals hoping for one gold medal and a NZ high performance time. So that was good."

He was especially proud of the gold medal wins.

"It's what makes all the training and hard work worthwhile," he said.

"My goals for the future are just to see where my swimming can take me but I'd really like to one day hopefully make it to the Pan-Pacific champs."

Sixteen-year-old Michael Landsown of Trojans Swim Club won silver in the 400m medley, while Angus Lovatt, 13, won four silver in the 50m free, 100m free, 50m fly and 50m backstroke.