Swimming: Boyle claims major honour in NZ Awards

APNZ

1 Apr, 2012 05:15 AM2 mins to read

Lauren Boyle. Photo / Paul Estcourt.

London Olympian Lauren Boyle has been named New Zealand swimmer of the year.

The 24-year-old was awarded the honour at the Swimming New Zealand Awards dinner in Auckland last night following the national swimming championships.

Boyle, who has qualified in three individual events and the relay for the London Olympics, has been honoured for an outstanding 2011 season.

The North Shore swimmer, coached by Mark Regan, was a finalist in the 400m and 800m freestyle at the FINA World Championships in Shanghai, as well as being a semifinalist in the 200m freestyle. She also guided the New Zealand team to eighth place and Olympic qualification in the 4x200m freestyle relay.

Boyle established New Zealand records in all three individual swims.

She went on to compete in the World University Games in Shenzhen, creating history for any New Zealand university athlete in winning gold medals in the 400m and 800m freestyle, a silver in the 200m freestyle, bronze in the 1500m freestyle and leading New Zealand to a silver in the 4x200m freestyle relay to complete an outstanding year.

Boyle was also presented with the most outstanding performance at an international event for her efforts at the world championships and also the national swimmer of the year award.

Her fellow high performance centre teammate Glenn Snyders was awarded the international long course swimmer of the year for his performances at the world championships and World University Games where he finished ranked in the top 10 in the world in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, becoming the first New Zealander under the minute mark in the 100m breaststroke.

Their coach Mark Regan was named coach of the year.

World champion Sophie Pascoe won the swimmer with a disability award as well as the People's Choice Award, although the Christchurch swimmer was unable to attend as she prepares for her Olympic qualifying meet in London.