Wanganui pair take pool battle to Australians - April 2015

Wanganui Swimming Club prospects Elena Forlong (above) and Shannon Schmanski have touched down in Sydney with the Swimming NZ team for the start of the Australian Age Group Championships today.

Schmanski, 14, and Forlong, 16, qualified for the breaststroke and butterfly respectively, racing for New Zealand in the 100m and 200m events. They are part of the 12-strong crew, aged 13 to 16, who are mostly all attending their first significant international competition.

"I am very excited about the prospects and opportunities for this future crop of age group swimmers that are coming from all over New Zealand," head coach Gary Hurring said.

"We believe that we can set a pathway and culture within the squad, while racing against the Australians is always an exciting opportunity, and we are expecting this team to compete with confidence and desire."

The team should gain valuable experience ahead of the New Zealand Age Group Championships next month.

The championships run from today through to Saturday, at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

(Wanganui Chronicle 13/4/15)