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Telkom South African Championships - Day 3 Report
Apr 14, 2002 - Neville Smith
Terence Parkin looked impressive in the second semi-final of the 200m breaststroke at the Telkom South African national swimming championships at the Kings Park pool in Durban on Sunday night.
Watched by a crowd that was the biggest of the championships so far, the indomnible Parkin (KZN) along with Sarah Poewe (WP), Gerhard Zandberg (NTS), Charlene Wittstock (KZN), Helene Muller (CGA) and stalwart Theo Verster (KZN) turned in impressive performances as the tempo of the meet increased.
Women's 200m Freestyle semi-final
Helene Muller is in a class of her own. The powerful Muller is without a doubt the favourite for Monday nights final after demolishing her rivals with a fast 2:01.89 exactly 2 seconds off national and continental mark established at the Sydney Olympic Games.
Swimming in the first heat, the medical student held a significant advantage over her rivals after the first 100m (59.39) and maintained her stroke to claim victory.
Not surprising the next two fastest qualifiers came from this heat. Marizanne Grundlingh (WP) (2:05.09) and Kirsten van Heerden (KZN) (2:05.50) who won the 400m on the opening night of these championships will line up alongside Muller in the final.
The next best qualifiers were the KZN duo of Melissa Corfe (2:05.91) and Nicola Stanley (2:07.12) from the second heat.
The battle for the minor placing in this event promises to be an exciting affair.
Men's 200m Freestyle
Once again it was the promising Dominik Meichtry (KZN) who took the race by the scruff of the neck from the onset and set the pace with the quartet of James Wilcox (WP), Sarel Lamprecht (FS), Brett Wood (WP) and Marius Momberg (WP) in close attendance.
At the half way mark it was any ones race with Meichtry retaining the advantage.
Coming into the last 50m the Swiss national and Wilcox had a distinct advantage over the chasing pack. The vocal crowd edged them on and the 17 year old Meichtry claimed his second title of the championships in 1:53.13 with a game Wilcox having to settle for silver on the night in 1:53.84.
Lamprecht claimed the bronze in 1:55.03 ahead of Momberg (1:55.23) while Rudolf Wagenaar (WP) (1:56.37) edged out Wood (1:56.43) for fifth place.
Women's 200m Breaststroke semi-final
Sarah Poewe comfortably posted the fastest time of the evening with a 2:28.86 to advance to Monday nights final as the firm favourite to retain the title she won at Ellis park last year.
The battle for the minor placing could materialise, however Ingrid Haiden (WP) (2:33.14) and Tamaryn Laubscher (NTS) (2:35.53) appear to hold too much for the likes of Ziada Jardine (WP) (2:39.88) and Suzaan van Biljon (FS) (2:40.09)
Men's 200m Breaststroke semi-final
Olympic silver medallist Terence Parkin turned in a powerful performance when he advanced to Monday night's final in convincing fashion in a time of 2:16.66. Unlike the ladies final, the battle for the minor placing in this race should be a scintillating affair.
With six of the qualifiers posting a 2:21 tactics are sure to come into play,
The pack is headed by the Free State duo of Michael du Toit (2:21.22) and stalwart Corne Prozesky (2:21.24) with Western Province's Jan-Henrick Bardenhorst (2:21.50) ahead of Greg Owen (CGA) who fell of the pace a tad to post a 2:21.57 to qualify in fifth place.
Tactics, perhaps. Then the same could be said of Louis Lotter (NTS) (2:21.94) and Niel Versveld (KZN) (2; 21.94) who both went out fast and seemed to hang in with something in reserve at the death.
Whatever the tactic, this final promises to be a pulsating affair.
Women's 50m Backstroke semi-final
Renate du Plessis (WP) is a lady on a mission. The powerful du Plessis could very well cause an upset in Monday nights final over the more fancied Charlene Wittstock.
While du Plessis posted the second fastest time of 30.34, she looked decidedly at ease with her effort after Wittstock claimed top spot in 30.13.
The promising Monique Malan (KZN) posted the third fastest time with a 30.72 while the Western province duo of Bevin Reynolds (31.46) and Romy Altmann (31.51) cannot be underestimated.
Men's 50m Backstroke semi-final
Gerhard Zandberg is without a doubt one of the most promising sprinters that South Africa posses.
The lanky Pretoria based swimmer stormed to an impressive victory in his semi posting a 26.21 just a tad off his continental mark of 26.17 that he established in Monte Carlo in a swim off with the great Lenny Kryzelburg in June last year.
Another Swiss national, Alain Tardin (KZN) posted a 27.19 to enter into Monday nights final as the number two seed while Carl Marais (NTS) (27.76) lines up ahead of the KZN duo of Gareth McGee (27.81) and Jeff Norton (27.82).
Women's 100m Butterfly semi-final
Once again Renate du Plessis steps into the picture. This time it's against the Gauteng flyer, Mandy Loots in what promises to be a pulsating final.
Loots posted a 1:01.02 to head the pack while du Plessis recorded a 1:01.03.
Heading the battle for the minor placing will be the KZN duo of Lauren Sparg (1:02.99) and Candice Crafford (1:03.74) while the CGA duo of Helene Muller (1:03.79) and the diminutive Lisa-Marie Retief (1:03.95) cannot be under estimated.
Men's 100m Butterfly semi-final
KZN stalwart Theo Verster turned on the gas in the second semi of this event when he posted a 53.62 to advance into Monday night's final as the firm favourite.
The promising Lynden Ferns (NP) who won the first semi heads the challenge after recording a 55.05 well ahead of Stephen Ackermann from KZN who went a 55.91 to head the pack.
While Ferns is likely to have to settle for the minor placing, this Pietersburg youngster along with Ackermann are two of South Africa's brightest prospects.
Men's 800m Freestyle Relay
The Western Province quartet of Brett Wood, Marius Momberg, Rudolf Wagenaar and James Wilcox fought back to claim victory in a time of 7:43.64 from the early pace setters Free State who had to settle for silver in a time of 7:45.47. Central Gauteng claimed the bronze in 7:54.11.
Women's 800m Freestyle
Maretha van Wyk (FS) is the new national titleholder after leading from the gun. Never challenged, van Wyk claimed gold in a time of 9:00.63 well ahead of the KZN duo Kristi Kuhlmey (9:07.09) and Cheryl Townsend (9:08.88).
Natalie du Toit (WP) who lost her lower left leg below the knee in a motor accident last year claimed fourth place in a time of 9:12.26 in a courageous effort.
Telkom S A National Aquatic Championships
Durban 12-17 April 2002
Day 3 Results
Event 21 Women 800 LC Meter Freestyle
===============================================================================
WORLD: # 8:16.22 20/08/1989Janet Evens at Tokyo, USA
Africa: # 8:51.57 07/04/2000Kim A V Selm at Telkom SA Seni, RSA
S A: * 8:48.41 06/03/1992Jeanine Steenkamp, FS
8:39.78 CWQT
Meet Qualifying: 8:39.78
Name Age Team Prelims Finals Points
===============================================================================
Finals
1 V Wyk, Maretha 16 FS-FS 9:11.09 9:00.63
1:02.94 1:06.36 1:07.47 1:08.28 1:08.46 1:09.15 1:09.66 1:08.31
2 Kuhlmey, Kristi E 18 Kzn-KZ 9:20.85 9:07.09
1:04.34 1:07.30 1:08.96 1:09.70 1:09.13 1:09.72 1:09.36 1:08.58
3 Townsend, Cheryl 15 Kzn-KZ 9:15.78 9:08.88
1:06.02 1:09.83 1:09.57 1:09.64 1:09.31 1:09.14 1:08.90 1:06.47
4 Du Toit, Natalie 18 W Prov-WP 9:16.05 9:12.26
1:06.17 1:09.50 1:09.38 1:09.21 1:09.01 1:09.17 1:09.65 1:10.17
5 Schwendenwein, Sas 15 Central Gauteng-CG 9:22.54 9:15.63
1:06.29 1:10.68 1:10.83 1:10.37 1:10.30 1:10.19 1:09.86 1:07.11
6 Jv Rensburg, Velia 15 EP 9:20.63 9:15.99
1:06.40 1:10.63 1:10.27 1:10.22 1:10.26 1:10.27 1:10.26 1:07.68
7 Martin, Desiree M 19 Kzn-KZ 9:16.01 9:22.83
1:06.16 1:10.14 1:10.30 1:10.76 1:11.09 1:11.37 1:11.68 1:11.33
8 Luus, Chrisna 15 Nts-NT 9:27.74 9:25.70
1:07.32 1:10.84 1:11.13 1:10.97 1:11.46 1:11.89 1:11.53 1:10.56
Event 22 Men 200 LC Meter Freestyle
===============================================================================
WORLD: # 1:44.06 25/07/2001Ian Thorpe at Fukuoka JPN, AUS
Africa: # 1:48.17 24/08/1999Ryk Neethling, RSA
S A: * 1:48.17 25/08/1999Ryk F Neethling at Pan Pacific, RSA
1:48.10 CWQT
Meet Qualifying: 1:48.10
Name Age Team Semis Finals Points
===============================================================================
1 Meichtry, Dominik 17 Central Gauteng-CG 1:55.41 1:53.13
56.08 57.05
2 Willcox, James P 20 W Prov-WP 1:55.39 1:53.84
56.15 57.69
3 Lamprecht, Sarel M 19 FS-FS 1:56.08 1:55.03
56.39 58.64
4 Momberg, Marius 21 W Prov-WP 1:55.50 1:55.23
56.99 58.24
5 Wagenaar, Rudolf P 19 W Prov-WP 1:57.13 1:56.37
57.36 59.01
6 Wood, Brett I 20 W Prov-WP 1:55.85 1:56.43
56.66 59.77
7 Wilson, Nicholas R 21 Kzn-KZ 1:57.25 1:56.64
57.05 59.59
8 Spires, Darryl J 17 Kzn-KZ 1:58.14 1:58.45
58.04 1:00.41
Event 25 Mixed 50 LC Meter Backstroke
===============================================================================
Name Age Team Prelims Finals
===============================================================================
1 Groenewald, Craig F 23 Central Gauteng-CG 34.42 33.93
2 Coates, David P 23 Kzn-KZ 34.42 33.97
3 Schreuder, Carl C 35 Central Gauteng-CG 36.54 36.36
4 Du Plessis, Tiaan E 17 Kzn-KZ 38.08 37.36
5 Sterrenberg, Leanne 20 W Prov-WP 43.17 42.66
6 Fowler, Cornelia J 21 Kzn-KZ 47.65 46.28
7 De Kock, Chris A 19 FS-FS 56.68 56.65
8 Shannon, Sarah J 20 Kzn-KZ 1:27.67 1:26.31
Event 26 Mixed 100 LC Meter Butterfly
===============================================================================
Name Age Team Seed Finals
===============================================================================
1 Groenewald, Craig F 23 Central Gauteng-CG 1:09.65 1:07.62
2 Coates, David P 23 Kzn-KZ 1:11.46 1:10.92
3 Nathan, Oliver 17 Central Gauteng-CG 1:15.61 1:15.20
4 De Beer, Handri J 19 Nts-NT 1:35.05 1:34.00
5 Sterrenberg, Leanne 20 W Prov-WP 1:35.24 1:34.72
Event 31 Women 200 LC Meter Breaststroke
===============================================================================
WORLD: # 2:22.99 13/04/2001Hui Qi at Hanghou CHN, CHN
Africa: # 2:23.64 27/08/1999Penelope Heyns, RSA
S A: * 2:23.64 25/08/1999Penny Heyns at Pan Pacific Cha, RSA
2:28.31 CWQT
Meet Qualifying: 2:28.31
Name Age Team Prelims Semis
===============================================================================
Semi-Finals
1 Poewe, Sarah 19 W Prov-WP 2:34.41 2:28.86
1:11.97 1:16.89
2 Haiden, Ingrid G 17 W Prov-WP 2:38.89 2:33.14
1:15.09 1:18.05
3 Laubscher, Tamaryn H 17 Nts-NT 2:34.11 2:35.53
1:15.64 1:19.89
4 Jardine, Ziada 17 W Prov-WP 2:45.08 2:39.88
1:17.95 1:21.93
5 V Biljon, Suzaan 13 FS-FS 2:44.73 2:40.09
1:18.02 1:22.07
6 Hildebrand, Tanya N 24 Central Gauteng-CG 2:39.52 2:40.31
1:17.67 1:22.64
7 Bonney, Kim D 16 W Prov-WP 2:43.09 2:40.74
1:17.55 1:23.19
8 Burke, Natalie A 17 W Prov-WP 2:44.29 2:41.61
1:17.39 1:24.22
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 Roper, Ronwyn 14 Kzn-KZ 2:45.67 2:41.85
1:19.91 1:21.94
10 Rolt, Claire C 20 Nts-NT 2:42.93 2:42.20
1:18.19 1:24.01
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 Kidger, Katherin R 19 Kzn-KZ 2:46.53 2:43.76
1:17.35 1:26.41
12 Williams, Claire M 15 W Prov-WP 2:45.22 2:44.43
1:18.16 1:26.27
13 Wienand, Kirsty 15 FS-FS 2:47.37 2:45.66
1:21.69 1:23.97
14 Goddard, Talia R 14 Kzn-KZ 2:47.44 2:46.02
1:20.32 1:25.70
15 Barnard, Eugenie C 15 NP-NP 2:46.33 2:46.14
1:22.21 1:23.93
16 Archibald, Claire M 13 Easterns-ES 2:46.60 2:48.83
1:21.46 1:27.37
Event 32 Men 200 LC Meter Breaststroke
===============================================================================
WORLD: # 2:10.16 29/07/1992Mike Barrowman at Barcelona, USA
Africa: # 2:12.50 16/09/2000Terence M Parkin at 2000 Olymp, RSA
S A: * 2:12.50 16/09/2000Terence M Parkin at 2000 Olymp, RSA
2:12.70 CWQT
Meet Qualifying: 2:12.70
Name Age Team Prelims Semis
===============================================================================
1 Parkin, Terence M 22 Kzn-KZ 2:22.13 2:16.66
1:06.62 1:10.04
2 Du Toit, Michiel A 18 FS-FS 2:25.20 2:21.22
1:08.68 1:12.54
3 Prozesky, Corn
