Swimmers excel at South African Prestige Gala

Swimmers recently did Namibia proud at the Prestige Age Group gala held in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. This is the most prestigious Age Group swimming meet held annually in South Africa where the very best swimmers from all over Southern Africa compete.
Jonay and Byron Briedenhann of The Swimming Academy each broke two Namibian records. Jonay shattered a long-standing record of Dorothea Neumeister in the 200m Individual Medley, setting the new record time at 2:30.72 seconds and bettering the old record by 4.12 seconds.
With this excellent time the 15-year-old Jonay also qualified for the South African Senior National Swimming Championships. She also improved her own 200m Backstroke record by 0,89 seconds, setting the new Namibian record at 2.34.50 seconds.
Jonay?s 13-year-old brother Byron finished all seven of his events within the top 10 of his age group and competed in six finals. Amongst others, he finished 4th for the 200m, and 5th in the 100m Breaststroke. Byron improved his own Namibian record in the 200m Fly by 6,13 seconds. The new record is now 2:23,24 seconds. He also slashed half a second off Günther Streit?s 50m Butterfly record, setting the new time at 29,73 seconds.
14-year-old Nadja Sternagel of Dolphins broke Marike Meyer?s 200m Butterfly record by 4,61 seconds, setting a new time of 2:34,91.
The 15-year-old Stefan van Zijl made it into the finals of the 200m Backstroke, where he came seventh.
Thommassau Forbes of Swakopmund, Quinton Delie of Dolphins, Nadja Sternhagel of Dolphins and Daniela Lindemeier of Spartans all improved their times significantly.
All these swimmers were selected for the team that will represent Namibia at the Junior African Championships to be held during August 2005 in Mauritius.