Jalaram's Antonette Achieng shines at Nyanza Region swimming gala

[Phillip Orwa, Standard]

Antonette Achieng of Jalaram Academy proved that she is indeed the region’s best girl swimmer as she splashed her way to four titles at this year’s Nyanza Region Secondary Schools swimming gala at Aga Khan Primary School, Kisumu. 

The Kisumu County champion’s prowess saw her book her place at next month’s Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association National Term one games in Mombasa.

She will lead the Nyanza girls team that will be seeking to improve on their 2018 fifth place finish. Last year, their girls’ team was outclassed by winners Nairobi Region, Coast, Central and Rift Valley, who finished second, third and fourth respectively. 

Achieng won the girls’ 200m Individual Medley, 50m butterfly, 100m butterfly and 200m free style for Jalaram.

She claimed her first title in the 200m Individual Medley timing 3.44.93 ahead of her schoolmate Clare Hawi, who clocked 4.22.35 to take second place as Wendy Akinyi of Chemelil Academy came in third 4.50.22.

She reigned supreme in girls’ senior 50m butterfly winning in a time of 49.25 seconds with Hawi finishing second 4.22 seconds later. Achieng bagged her third and fourth titles in girls’ 100m butterfly and 200m free style clocking 1.59.38 and 3.22.35 respectively.

Clare Hawi emerged second in 200m Individual Medley, 50m butterfly and 200m free style. Swimmers from Chemilil Academy, Nyakach, Ng’iya, Asumbi and Lwak Girls also excelled to book their tickets to the national show. 

In boys’ contest, Wilson Odhiambo, from Maseno School, claimed the 200m Individual Medley and 100m butterfly while James Martin of Sawagongo took home the junior 50m butterfly title. 

Joseph Okiri of Chemelil Academy claimed the 50m seniors’ top prize. In boys’ senior 50m breaststroke, Jalaram’s Ayoo Otaa claimed gold.

Battle for tickets to Mombasa in athletics, rugby, hockey, basketball and handball begin today at Homa Bay High School. Regional hockey champions Kisumu Day and Sinyolo Girls will be out to defend their titles. 

Sinyolo will be seeking an eighth regional title and head coach Aloice Owino said he is ready for the games after being handed an easy pool featuring Dede and Pamela Mboya.

“The girls are ready after successful county outing and I’m confident they will pull through. However, we must be weary of bitter rivals Nyamira Girls,” Owino said.

Kisumu Girls will face last year’s finalists Nyamira Girls, Kereri girls and St. Lucy’s Raruowa in pool B

Kisumu Day who were humbled by Maseno School 2-0 in the county games will face last year finalists St. Mary’s Yala and Agoro Sare in Pool B.Maseno take on hosts Homa Bay High, Kisii High and Pe-Hill in Pool A.

In basketball boys, Ambira, Maseno, Nyanchwa and Oriwo are  in Pool A as Maranda, Nyambaria, Kanyawanga and Agoro Sare face off in Pool B.