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Local swimmers shine in Coetzenburg pool
Author: Maties Sport Media
Published: 22/02/2018

SA swimmers Erin Gallagher, Rebecca Meder and Ayrton Sweeney produced thrilling action at the SA Swimming Grand Prix held at Coetzenburg over the weekend, while Maties Swimming's Emma Chelius and Inge Weidemann won three medals each at this prestigious event.

Maties student Chelius – who is preparing for the Commonwealth Games – won silver in the 50m freestyle as well as the 50m butterfly and bronze in the 100m freestyle, while Rhenish High learner Inge – who is preparing for the Youth Olympic trials – won silver in in the 100m freestyle and bronze in the 200m freestyle as well as the 50m butterfly.

Other Maties who achieved podium places were Naudé Opperman (bronze; 100m freestyle), Reece Whitaker (bronze; 50m breaststroke), Stephano Roodt (bronze; 400m freestyle), Kiara Noades (silver; 200m backstroke), Max Kieser (bronze; 50m butterfly) and Bryce Pendock (bronze; 50m freestyle).

Twelve members of the team selected to represent South Africa at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in April participated in the annual event.

Cameron van der Burgh, Michael Houlie and Sweeney – who set three meet records – produced some of the best performances in the men's races, while Gallagher, Chelius, Kaylene Corbett and Emily Visagie performed well in the women's races.

With the Commonwealth Games coming up, the swimmers used this opportunity to fine tune their performances in a race and to gauge where they stand with their training.

The swimmers will compete in an outdoor pool at the Commonwealth Games, so this was good preparation in that regard, said Pierre de Roubaix, swimming head coach and sport manager at Stellenbosch University.​