Trio of Medals to Round Out Third Day of NZ Championships
Event Recap
The third day of racing at the 2024 New Zealand Championships brought the full set of medals - a gold, silver, and bronze, with Neptune's Erika Fairweather, Zac Reid, and Caitlin Deans in fine form. Congratulations to all our Otago athletes for another fantastic day of racing!
The heats session saw a number of Otago athletes in action, with two personal best times notched. Liam McGowan (Oamaru) put up a strong effort in the 100m Butterfly to set a new best time of 55.31. Caleb Ludlow (Alexandra) set a long course personal best time in the 200m Breaststroke, touching the wall in an impressive effort of 2:28.78.
The finals session kicked off with the 400m Freestyle. Zac Reid (Neptune) put up a strong effort in his final, racing stroke for stroke with Club 37's Lewis Clareburt over the opening 200m of the race to finish the race in second place with a time of 3:48.61. Today's time marks Zac's third fastest performance in the event to date.
The women's 400m Freestyle saw half of the final from Neptune Swim Club, with newly minted World Champion Erika Fairweather joined by clubmates Caitlin Deans, Ruby Heath, and Emilia Finer. Erika had a solid hit out, opening in 1:59.98 over the opening 200m and finishing in 4:02.35 to take the gold. Caitlin took the bronze medal, with a time of 4:11.66 just outside her personal best. Ruby put up a strong effort to improve on her morning swim and take fourth place in a time of 4:24.37, while Emilia took eighth place in a time of 4:31.62.
Liam McGowan (Oamaru) followed up his strong morning swim to take fourth place in the 100m Butterfly in a time of 55.76, just a handful of tenths outside of his effort from the morning. In the women's event, Esme Paterson (Neptune) took fourth place with a time of 1:02.37, while Poppy Henderson (Neptune) touched in 1:03.89 to take eighth place just outside her personal best time.
Caleb Ludlow (Alexandra) and Meg McLaughlan (Kiwi) put up strong efforts in their respective 200m Breaststroke finals to each take seventh place. Caleb finished in a time of 2:32.21, while Meg improved from her morning swim to touch in 2:54.72.
Medallists on Day 3
| Zac Reid - Neptune 🥈 Male 400m Freestyle | |
| Erika Fairweather - Neptune 🥇 Female 400m Freestyle | Caitlin Deans - Neptune 🥉 Female 400m Freestyle |
Day 3 Results
| Athlete | Club | Heat | Final | Placing | ||
| Male 400 FR | Zac Reid | NEP | 4:00.21 | 3:48.61 | 2nd | - |
| Female 400 FR | Erika Fairweather | NEP | 4:03.38 | 4:02.35 | 1st | - |
| Caitlin Deans | NEP | 4:18.69 | 4:11.66 | 3rd | - | |
| Ruby Heath | NEP | 4:25.44 | 4:24.37 | 4th | - | |
| Emilia Finer | NEP | 4:32.06 | 4:31.62 | 8th | - | |
| Male 100 FL | Liam McGowan | OAM | 55.31 | 55.76 | 4th | PB |
| Female 100 FL | Esme Paterson | NEP | 1:02.53 | 1:02.37 | 4th | - |
| Poppy Henderson | NEP | 1:04.34 | 1:03.89 | 8th | - | |
| Male 200 BR | Caleb Ludlow | ALX | 2:28.78 | 2:32.21 | 7th | PB |
| Female 200 BR | Meg McLaughlan | KIW | 2:55.32 | 2:54.72 | 7th | - |
| Male 50 BK | Liam Rees | ALX | 28.50 | - | 13th | - |
Article added: Thursday 11 April 2024
