adminMatabeleland Amateur Swimming Board chairman Eddie Cyprianos expressed satisfaction over the team that will represent the region saying that the team is capable of bringing medals home.
A strong team of 53 swimmers will represent Matabeleland in the five-day swimming extravaganza. According to Cyprianos, their biggest challenge will however come from Mashonaland who have been dominating the championships for the past years.
“We are ready and there are no injuries in our camp. In fact everybody is looking forward to the championships but obviously our biggest challenge is Mashonaland.
“We however have exceptional and talented swimmers who can hold their own against the best in the country,” said Cyprianos.
Mashonaland have an edge in terms of numbers when compared to other provinces. Matabeleland is sending 52 swimmers while Mashonaland is likely to send double the figure.
Rising star Andressious Cyprianos will lead the boys’ team while the dependable Avalor Bruce will captain the girls team. The two are expected to lead by example and bag a number of medals.
Last week the Matabeleland team had the rare opportunity of learning from swimming great Kirsty Coventry and Cyprianos senior believes they will use the knowledge gained to their advantage.
“Honestly our swimmers gained quite a lot from Kirsty’s visit and we hope to see improvements during the championships. She came at the right time when we were preparing for these championships and sharpened the skills of our swimmers. Now everyone is raring to go and morale is very high. As a board we have a lot of faith in the team that was selected to do duty in Harare,” he said.
The Matabeleland team will be leaving for Harare on Thursday morning and they are expected to be back on Tuesday next week.
Meanwhile, Girls College put up a spirited performance to clinch the Southern Sections trophy at a swimming gala that was held at City Pools on Saturday.
Petra High School, Midlands Christian College, Girls College, Goldridge from Kwekwe and the host school Dominican Covent High School which had Team A and Team B battled for silverware up for grabs.
The swimmers also fought for a chance to represent the region in the national competitions which have been set for Harare against their Northern Sections counterparts on 23 February.
The athletes competed in the Under-14, Under-15, Under-16 and the open age-groups with Girls College prevailing in all categories.
Girls College A came first while their second team were runners-up with Petra coming third. Midlands Christian College came fourth, Convent came fifth and at bottom position was Goldridge.
The top three schools qualified for the national finals.
Matabeleland Senior Team
11-12 Girls: Maryke Koen, Georgina Roberts, Savannah Du Preez, Olivia Rosenfels, Sancia Bravo, Siduduziwe Mswabuki, Wandile Banda.
11-12 Boys: Grant Smith, Liam O’ Hara, Rowan Isemonger, Quinton Tayali, Denilson Cyprianos, Tarrel Cook, Eden van Wyk, Lavarn Jacks, Josh McKonie.
13-14 Girls: Courtney McAllister, Jessica McAllister, Norah Tagwireyi, Melisa Tayali, Takudzwa Chitima, Bianca Zeelie.
13-14 Boys: Luke van Bredan, Takudzwa Nyamutsamba, Takunda Mashaya, Dylan Ferguson, Jaryd Lezar, Phiwo Moyo, Mthabisi Mpofu, Jordan Edwards.
15-16 Girls: Mieke Koen, Jessica Hammond, Estelle Stambolie, Selina Emanuel, Kristy Simon.
15-16 Boys: Robert Zeelie, Richie Hammond, Liam Biehan, Michael Anderson, Anesu Sebastian, Besel Williams, Jordan Lezar, Brendon Cyprianos, Ross Oatley, Dave van der Berg.
17 and over Girls: Avalon Bruce (captain)
17 and over Boys: Andressious Cyprianos (captain), Andrew John Stambolie, Ashby Tinky, Frank Lang, Kurt Steiner, Joshua Lezar.
Bongani Ndlovu