Three Grahamstown pupils have been selected to represent Eastern Province at the South African Schools gala in Pretoria in December.
Three Grahamstown pupils have been selected to represent Eastern Province at the South African Schools gala in Pretoria in December.
Jessica Wright and Courtney Repinz have accepted the invitation and will join the EP team, but John Maree has had to withdraw. According to DSG swimming coach Sheena Price, this is the first time in four years that the schools champs has taken place.
An upcoming talent from DSG, 11-year old Courtney, said she is excited to have made the EP side as she has been working hard on her swimming this year and was focusing on making the team for the schools champs.
Courtney, who has been swimming since the age of eight, has a number of podium finishers in the various EP galas. Courtney said she hopes to make the level three swimming grade (national level) by the time she is in matric.
Jessica said she was surprised when she was told she had made the EP team, as she was not aware of the SA schools champs. Jessica, a Grade 11 pupil at DSG, plans to be more competitive in Level 2 during the next swimming season, adding that she hopes to enter Level 3 before the end of her matric year, although she feels she still has a lot of work to do.
“Courtney and Jess have had a good season so far and surpassed all expectations for the early part of the swimming season both swimming level 2 times in numerous disciplines,” Price said.
Price added that she expects the two to finish in the top eight in some events, and "hopefully if they drop their times after tapering maybe even win a medal”.
Jessica will take part in the 50m, 100m and 200 backstroke events, while Courtney will take part in the 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly.
During the Dolphin Gala held at the DSG Aquatic Centre last week, Courtney took first place in the in the Girls 11 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke and 50m freestyle.
