On Sunday 15th June, while most of us were still getting up, Kaiyo Nakajima and Milly Lietze were diving headfirst into the fast lane at Moana Pool for the Otago Secondary Schools Swimming Championships. With a lot of races squeezed into just two and a half hours, it was less of a swim meet and more of a swim marathon. Despite the tight schedule and fierce competition from across the region, our TCAS swimmers brought the heat and the speed.

Kaiyo Nakajima came 2nd in the 200m butterfly (not for the faint of heart or arms). He also snagged 3rd in the 100m backstroke, and two 4th place finishes in the 100m butterfly and 200m backstroke. Kaiyo can backstroke like he’s got a jetpack.

Milly Lietze charged through her events like the seasoned competitor she is, snapping up second placings in the 100m, 200m, and 400m freestyle. She followed that with a strong 3rd in the 100m butterfly and 4th in the 50m freestyle. She gave it everything including what were surely the most overworked legs in the pool, proving she’s making waves in all the right ways. 

A huge shout-out to Kerri and Robyn for coaching and managing the swimmers for the event and special thanks to Miss Currall, who was on loan from Tokomairiro for the morning. 

For a small school, TCAS well and truly punched above its weight. Think David versus Goliath, but in Speedos. Well done Kaiyo and Milly you can now go put your feet up. You’ve earned it!