Dynamic duo are golden girls

A small team of two Masterton swimmers were rewarded with three gold medals, three silver and one bronze at the New Zealand Division II Swimming Competition at Invercargill's Splash Palace.

Kate Warren, 15 and Asher Rayner, 15, from the Masterton Swimming Club, produced a series of outstanding performances at the last meet of the 2012/13 swimming season, said the club's head coach Anna Kitching.

The girls swam in seven events, reaching finals in each one. Together they produced 20 personal best times during the four-day meet.

Kate Warren won gold in the 100m freestyle in a time of 1 minute 2.16 seconds and followed up with another gold in the 100m individual medley (1:10.96). She picked up silver medals in the 50m butterfly and 50m backstroke.

Asher Rayner won a gold medal in the 200m individual medley in a time of 2 minutes 35.26 seconds. She took silver in the 400m medley received and bronze in the 400m freestyle, both in personal best times.

The competition was a springboard to the national age group short course championships to be held in September.

Ms Kitching said the girls did their club proud with their combined efforts placing Masterton Swimming Club 26th overall out of 72 clubs from around New Zealand.

"Kate and Asher's outstanding results reflect their hard work and positive attitudes throughout all of last season," she said. "Their results in Invercargill were an extremely satisfying way to complete what was a hugely successful season for the club, across the board.

"The girls not only trained hard but fundraised for their trip to Invercargill and they thank the community for its support."

She said swimming club swimmers have just begun training for the winter season after taking a well-earned break.