Batchelor Stars Again, Stanley Impresses at Age Group Swimming

Christchurch swimmer Sophia Batchelor stepped up her record onslaught on the penultimate night of finals at the State Insurance New Zealand age group short course championships in Wellington.

The 15 year old picked up a further three national age records to bring her tally to far from an unlucky 13 with a day remaining at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre.

Batchelor (AquaGym) went under the magical one minute barrier to clock 59.20s in winning the 100m butterfly, setting a new age group record for 15-year-olds. It took two seconds off the previous mark – and was less than 2/10ths outside the national open record.

The brilliant Christchurch teenager also added new national age records in the 50m backstroke in 28.02 and the 50m backstroke of 27.89, after already lowering it to 28.02 in the heats.

She has now recorded the three best performances of the meet in terms of FINA points to determine global measurement. Her best is 898 FINA points in the 100m backstroke, 896 points as victor of the 400 m freestyle and 884 for the 200m freestyle.

Corey Main (Howick Pakuranga) was again in the record books with a new mark in the 15 years 100m backstroke of 55.14, Erik Kahr (Onehunga) in the 14 years boys’ 200m breaststroke of 2:20.92.

Youth Olympic Games best performer, Matt Stanley added the 200m freestyle honours to the titles won in the 100m and 400m freestyle and 100m backstroke. He is also chasing the title in the 50m freestyle.

The Aucklander, who hails from Matamata, was awarded a presentation for his gold medal in the 200m freestyle, presented to him by Swimming New Zealand life member Don Stanley, the grandfather of Matthew, the rising new star.

The championships conclude today.