Braeburn and Hillcrest dominate invitational long course gala

Braeburn and Hillcrest International schools won boys and girls' overall titles respectively on the final day of the national invitational swimming championships, at Kasarani.

In the boys' category, Braeburn bagged 34 medals that included 13 gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze as Poisedon Swim Club finished second with 15 medals that included 10 gold, four silver and a bronze.

Otters had eight gold, six silver and four bronze for a total of 18 medals in third spot.

In the girls' division, Hillcrest bagged 18 medals that included nine gold, three silver and six medals, while The Banda Schools had 13 medals that included nine gold, two silver and seven bronze for a second spot finish.

Bellevue Raptors clinched the third spot with 18 medals that included eight gold, five silver and five bronze.

Kenya's upcoming swimming teenager Maria Bianchi, who competes for Mombasa's Blue Ocean Swim Club, set a new meet record in girls' 16 years and over 100m breastroke after she clocked 1.25.36 to erase last year's record of 1.40.11 set by Joan Nyakundi

At the 2022, CANA Zone Four championship in Lusaka, Zambia, Bianchi won six medals but she will miss the CANA zone three meet that starts on Thursday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania due to school engagements.

"The invitational gala was vital in helping us prepare for the regional gala in Tanzania. I have been winning in numerous events but as one grows older, I'm aiming at improving on my performance and personal timings," said the 2019 SOYA winner.

In boys' 16 years and over 100m breastroke, Risha de Guzman of Nairobi's Braeburn International School, won in a time of 1.12.12.

Samir Bachelani of Blue Ocean Swim Club timed 1.22.77 to finish second as James Amor from Seahorses Aquatic Club touched the wall in a time of 1.27.49. The trio hit the meet qualifying time of 1.35.00 set last year by Mombasa's Tory Pragassa.

In boys and girls' 10/11 years 4x50m mixed medley relay, Seahorses team of Brent Mwangi, Venessa Osimbo, Ted Mburu and Wanjiku Mureithi clocked 3.00.31 to finish tops. [Ernest Ndunda]