Matthew Scammell was second in the Year 12/13 boys’ championship at the Ashburton College swimming sports on Monday. Photo Robyn HoodRecords tumbled when swimmers converged on the EA Networks Centre pool for the annual Ashburton College swimming sports on Monday.

The day didn’t get off to the best start, with a glitch in the electric timing system meaning those running the event had to revert to manual timing for the first time in four years, but once the action got under way, thanks to a diligent team of students lending a hand, it all went swimmingly.

There were some dominant performances by swimmers across all age groups, but the performance of the day was that of Year 9 student Hannah King. She won five events, claiming five new records along the way, to take out the Year 9 girls’ championship.

Not to be outdone though, Logan Scammell also won five events to take out the Year 9 boys’ championship title.

Crystal Bentley won the Year 10 girls’ championship by taking out four events, including a record-breaking effort in the 50m breaststroke, while Jesse Martin won the title for Year 10 boys with five event wins.

Low numbers in the Year 11 age group did not detract from some strong performances.

Despite the lack of competition, Blake Farr smashed the record in the 100m freestyle (previously set by Jared Scammell in 2017) by more than two seconds.

Farr’s new time of 55.74 seconds was the fastest time for the 100m freestyle across all age groups, and it helped him to win the Year 11 boys’ championship, while Marlese Schoonderbeek was relatively unchallenged on her way to taking out the Year 11 girls’ championship.

Kelly-Anne Bentley won three events on her way to taking out the Year 12/13 girls’ champion title, although she faced a strong challenge from Grace Adams who won the 100m breaststroke and was placed in four other events.

For the Year 12/13 boys, the champion was Josh Giles who won five events and claimed two new records in the 50m and 100m freestyle.

Jay Martin and Matthew Scammell fought hard for the runner-up tag with Scammell narrowly in front at the end.

Ashburton College also introduced three races for swimmers with disabilities this year, and the youngest swimmer – Cody Robin – left all challengers in his wake to win the 25m freestyle and 25m backstroke.  Only Anthony van Asperen was able to keep the youngster in check, narrowly beating him to win the 25m breaststroke.

No new records were set in the day’s relay events, although Green House was just 0.09 seconds shy of the record in the senior boys’ freestyle relay.

The House Championship 8 x 25m relay was won by Orange House in fine style, but overall bragging rights on the day belonged to Red House, by just five points, from Blue House.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 21 March 2019