ACG Parnell Swimming Team recently achieved remarkable success at the New Zealand Secondary School Swimming Championships held in Wellington.
They secured an impressive total of 10 national titles and 20 medals overall.
One of the Top Co-Ed Schools in the Country for Swimming
The ACG Parnell Swimming Team enjoyed a wave of success at the New Zealand Secondary School Swimming Championships held in Wellington, securing an impressive total of 10 national titles and 20 medals overall.
Their performances also earned them the title of the second-best Co-Ed School in the country for swimming success, narrowly missing the top spot, which was claimed by Rangitoto College, the largest Co-Ed school in New Zealand.
Sports Coordinator, Steph Trowill, who was in Wellington with the team, expressed immense pride in the team’s achievements and their unwavering commitment to excellence in the pool. “It was truly remarkable to witness such outstanding results from our talented swimmers. The dedication and hard work put in by the students paid off brilliantly.”
“Finishing as the second-best Co-Ed school in the country, by only seven points, is a fantastic achievement for our team. To be in such close contention with a school as successful as Rangitoto, who has a larger pool of athletes to draw from, speaks volumes about the dedication and talent of our swimmers.”
Teamwork Triumph: U16 Boys Medley Relay Victory
Of the 10 National titles achieved, Steph highlighted the triumph by the Medley Relay team who won the U16 Boys National title.
“The Medley Relay was done in two separate heats, with our boys racing in the first one. It was a sight to behold once they realised, they had won, at the completion of heat two. It was the highlight of the championships for me.”
“Watching them work together, each contributing their unique strengths to the race, and the seamless transitions, was a true testament to the power of their teamwork.”
Rising Star: Donald Tian's Six National Titles
One of the stars of the competition was Year 9 student Donald Tian, who had an exceptional meet, clinching an astounding six national titles in the 13-year-old boys’ category.
“Achieving this extraordinary feat of winning six individual national titles really left me with a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment,” Donald said.
Donald’s contributions were not only on the individual front, as he was also a vital member of the Medley Relay team that secured the U16 National title. The team included Year 10 students Lucas Xia and Cameron Karpik along with Year 11 Bosco Ding.
“I am glad that as a team, we were able to win the national title, it was an amazing accomplishment.”
“While individual victories are undeniably special, I think winning as a team gives a totally incomparable sense of achievement.”
His passion for representing ACG Parnell in the pool goes beyond personal triumphs, as he recognises the significance of being part of a larger collective.
“As a representative of ACG Parnell, I am not only showcasing my individual abilities, but also contributing to the collective reputation and standing of our school in the wider sporting community.”
“This responsibility is not taken lightly, and it drives me to always give my best effort and conduct myself with sportsmanship and integrity.”
ACG Parnell NZSS Swimming Championships Medallists:
Donald Tian (13-Year-Old Boys) |
Gold – 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, 200m Backstroke, 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 100m Individual Medley Silver – 200m freestyle, 200m Individual Medley Bronze – 50m Breaststroke, 50m Butterfly |
Cameron Karpik (14-Year-Old Boys) |
Gold – 50m Breaststroke, 100m Breaststroke, 200m Breaststroke Silver – 200, Individual Medley Bronze – 100m Individual Medley |
Bradley Searle (14-Year-Old Boys) |
Bronze – 200m Freestyle |
Bosco Ding (15-Year-Old Boys) |
Bronze – 200m Breaststroke |
Medley Relay Team (U16) Cameron, Bosco, Donald & Lucas Xia |
Gold |
Freestyle Relay Team (U16) Bosco, Donald, Lucas & Bradley |
Silver 4x50m Silver 4x100m |