Clarendon swimming is continually growing in strength and the 2008/2009 season was proof of this. Our girls performed exceptionally both locally and nationally which can be credited to their unwavering dedication and commitment.
Countless hours are spent in the water training. The girls were rewarded for these at the Bryson Shield, Amakhosi and Prestige Relay Galas this season. Clarendon once again received the most accolades for outstanding performances in team relays: medley and freestyle, and received a shield for the best overall team at the above mentioned championships. Thus we maintained our position as the top swimming team in the Border region.
The Annual Bryson Shield Gala, which was hosted by Kingsridge College in King Williams Town, saw our girls put in extra effort ensuring we claim our title held at this gala. An outstanding team effort, encouraged by great team spirit resulted in our girls claiming the Bryson Shield (Freestyle Relay: Mikaela Meyer, Kathryn Allderman and Terianne Brown, Lauren Nel) and the Medley Relay (Lauren Nel, Kathryn Allderman, Terianne Brown, Mikaela Meyer).
NATIONAL ALL GIRLS AQUATICS FESTIVAL (EAST LONDON)
Gold Medals:
U/16 4 x 50m Medley Relay
- Tinka-Mari Strydom, Kathryn Allderman, Terianne Brown, Eden Smith
U/14 4 x 50m Breaststroke Relay
- Lindsay Killeen, Casey Roskilly, Liza Bahlmann, Amy-Kate Armstrong
U/19 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay
- Mikaela Meyer, Candice Rick, Tyla Marques, Lauren Nel
Silver Medals:
U/19 4 x 50m Backstroke Relay
- Chelsea Warrenstone, Tyla Marques, Claire Hobbs, Lauren Nel
U/16 4 x 50m Breaststroke Relay
- Eden Smith, Tinka-Mari Strydom, Kayleigh Lotz, Kathryn Allderman
U/19 4 x 50m Medley Relay
- Lauren Nel, Chelsea Warrenstone, Megan Howe, Tyla Marques
U/16 4 x 50m Backstroke Relay
- Kathryn Allderman, Eden Smith, Kayleigh Lotz, Terianne Brown
U/17 4 x 50m Breaststroke Relay
- Sarah Weyer, Julia Parrish, Kim du Preez, Lisa Bands
Bronze Medals:
Four Age Group 4 x 50m Medley Relay
- Lauren Nel, Kathryn Allderman, Terianne Brown, Mikaela Meyer
Senior 6 x 50m Butterfly Relay
- Lauren Nel, Tinka-Mari Strydom, Kayleigh Lotz, Megan Howe, Kathryn Allderman, Terianne Brown
Congratulations to the following girls who competed in the National Galas:
Level 1: Casey Roskilly, Liza Bahlmann, Jadene Reeves and Tarryn Robertson
Level 2: Amy-Kate Armstrong and Eden Smith
Level 3: Kathryn Allderman; Terianne Brown; Jacqui Phayre
Level 5: Kathryn Allderman and Terianne Brown
Special mention must be made of Kathryn Allderman on her achievement at the Senior National Open Event in April, where she participated in the 50m Breaststroke semi-final (top 16) and came 9th (1st reserve for the Final) in the semi final. This is an open event and therefore swims with the top South African swimmers in Africa. Because of this outstanding achievement, she has been awarded her Honours Award for swimming.
Unfortunately the end of every season brings with it a host of farewells. This year we bid a heartfelt farewell to the matrics of 2009: Mikaela Meyer; Tyla Marques; Lauren Nel; Chelsea Warrenstone; Sasha Andrews; Claire Hobbs; Angela Hobbs; Zikona Bhanethi and Candice Rick.
We appreciate their contribution to Clarendon swimming throughout their high school careers. Always giving of their best and spirit, these girls have helped to elevate our levels of performance and achievement.
Thanks must be given to the staff, headmaster and parents whose continual support is greatly appreciated. Mrs Lottering and Mrs Voke deserve a most special vote of thanks for their dedication to Clarendon swimming. Always willing to go ‘the extra mile’ they have served as the team’s coach, administrators, nurses, physiotherapists and most importantly have instilled within the girls a passion without which we would not have reached the fine levels of performance this season brought. To the swimmers, I would like to extend my congratulations on a brilliant season. Memories which will remain forever have been created within this team and I thank each girl for her unique contribution. As Mohammad Ali said, “ Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them … a desire, a dream, a vision” I encourage the swimmers to keep their desire alive as we continue to work together achieving our dreams and visions.