SWIMMING: Brix Aquastorms drown the Saints

Samir Bachelani participates in the relay event during the Laikipia Swimming Gala held at Brickwoods Schools-Nanyuki in Laikipia County, January 28, 2019. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Hosts Brickwoods Schools-Nanyuki collected 576 points to emerge the overall winners during the Laikipia Swimming Gala over the weekend. Hamptons School finished second on 315 points, followed by St Christophers Schools-Nanyuki on 235 points.

Christened ‘The Brix Aquastorm’ Brickwoods swimming, dominated the event sponsored by Equity Bank, NIC Bank, Taifa Sacco, Zenith Bookshop and Julies Bookshop, scooping 79 medals which included 36 gold medals.

The Brix Aquastorm’s trio of Samir Bachelani, Shaina Bachelani and Bilkis Bachelani spurred their team to the deserved victory by amassing 26 of the total medal vault reclaim the title.

Samir and Shaina of Brickwoods School were named the best boy and girl at the gala organised by the Kenya Swimming Federation Laikipia branch. 

"It's refreshing for Aquastorms to be crowned the winners today and more so at home." Samir told The Standard after the meet." Our strategy paid off especially in the team events. By singling out our individual strengths and gelling them together we gave ourselves an advantage. Personally my focus today was on the individual events and am happy turned out great."

In the girls free style relay, Brickwoods team of Melissa Nyaruai, Shaina Bechelani, Catherine Restall and Wairimu Sogomo posted 1:18.97 to emerge the winner on seven points. St Christophers’ team of Hennyrica Moraa, Keysha Wairimu, Charity Wamucii and Hellen Wangari came second in 1:26.27 to bag six points.

Hamptons’ team of Domitila Nafula, Lynsy Wanjiru, Virginia Wambui and Fastalia Makena posted 1:27.56 to finish third on five points.

In the free style boys’ category, Brickwoods team of Samir Bachelani, James Wesley, Ernest Wathua and Neo Becker finished in 1:12.33 to bag 7 points. St Christophers’ team of Suleiman Hassan, Alvin Visile, Victor Otieno and Victor Nguchie was second in 1:18.85.

Hamptons School team of Joachim Macharia, John Ndungu, Sid Singh and Steward Agape finished third after posting 1:47.44. In the mixed relay freestyle, Brickwoods won in 1:13.96. Hamptons came second in 1:29.25, followed by St Christopher in 1:43.11.

Brickwoods dominated the medley relays after their boys’ and girls’ teams won in 1:20.96 and 1:26.57 respectively. St Christopher’s came second (1:25.27, 1:47.29), while Hamptons were third (1:46.92, 1:57.96).

In the medley mixed relay, Brickwoods won in 1:20.49. St Christopher’s were second in 1:33.36, while Hamptons came third in 1:47.18.

In the kickboard relay, Brickwoods won in 2:16.36. Hamptons were second in 3:13.15, while St Christopher finished third in 5:20.59.

In the 100m girls’ open backstroke event, Melissa Nyaruai of Brickwoods won in 1:57.37. Domitila Nafula of Hamptons was second in 1:59.63, while Shania Lopuchrit, also of Brickwoods, was third in 2:11.56.

 In the boys under seven 100m category, Bilqis Bachelani of Brickwoods School emerged the winner after posting 2:43.49. In the girls 10-11 year’s 100m category, Shania Bachelani.

 Bachelani of Brickwoods School emerged the winners in 1:59.15. She was followed by Fancy of Hamptons is 2:06.56 and Sanoli Rakesh, also of Hamptons School in 2:52.43 in third place.

In the boys 10-11 years old category, Victor posted 2:11.56 to win. He was followed by John in 2:36.22 and Kedrick in 2:56.33. In the girls 12-13 years old 100m category, Melissa Nyaruayi of Brickwoods won in 1:49.55. Keisha of St Christopher came second in 1:55.71. Catherine Restall, also of St Christopher School, came third in 2:02.92. In the boys 12-13 years old category, Samir Bachelani of Brickwoods won in 1:26.29. Victor Otieno came second in 1:46.70.

In the girls 14 years old category, Domitila Nafula of Hamptons School emerged the winners after posting 1:47.30.