National Age Groups 2023 - East London
SA National Age Groups took place at Selborne College pool in East London 9 to 13 December 2023.
In freezing cold conditions, with rain, wind and a cold pool, conditions were challenging for all the athletes.
Team Phoenix again teamed up with Cosmo Dolphins. This year we added 10 new athletes to our team which now comprised 16 athletes who competed in 11 events, being Novice Open Figures and Duet, Novice Open Mixed Duet, Combo, 12&U Figures and Solo, Youth Figures, Solo and Duet, Senior Tech Duet and Senior Free Duet. Once again the team showed that hard work pays off with 10 Gold, 4 Silver and 1 Bronze medal as well as winning the Top Novice club Trophy for Cosmo Dolphins in only their 2nd year. A remarkable set of results from the team. Below are all our routines from the event.
Clare Meyerowitz and Claudia Potter - Novice Open Duet
With Clare having won the figure competition earlier, these two coaches who decided to compete for fun just 4 months ago swam their vibey upbeat duet with great enthusiasm. A remarkable achievement. Clare and Claudia faced stiff competition from their duet team mates and had to pull out all the stops to grab the Gold.
Clare Meyerowitz and Claudia Potter - Novice Open Duet
NAG 23 Clare Claudia Novice Duet
Katelin Drinkwater and Charlotte Prince - Novice Open Duet
Katelin and Charlotte were swimming their first competition. Katelin, having placed 2nd in figures earlier, and Charlotte swam their "Bella Ciao" routine with no base marks to finish 2nd - giving Cosmo Dolphins another 1-2 on the first day.
Katelin Drinkwater and Charlotte Prince - Novice Open Duet
NAG 23 Katelin and Charlotte Novice Duet
Bonolo Mohapoi and Thoriso Mohapi - Novice Mixed Duet
It was very exciting to see our new mixed duet pair Bonolo and Thoriso competing for the first time. With only one entrant in their category, the focus was on a solid swim in difficult conditions. Our sibling pair delivered just that with no base marks and we look forward to their progress.
Bonolo Mohapi and Thoriso Mohapi - Novice Mixed Duet
NAG 23 Bonolo Thoriso Novice Mixed Duet
Keeka Toerien - 12&U Solo
Having only attended her first synchro lesson 4 months ago, Keeka won the 12&U figures and was looking for a debut double with her "Wednesday" solo. Keeka's natural talent and hard work paid off as she won Gold in her first ever event!
Keeka Toerien - 12&U Solo
NAG 23 Keeka 12U Solo
Kenzie Malan - Youth 13 to 15 Solo
Still under 12 but having to swim Youth due to the competition rules, Kenzie came 2nd in the figure competition, just a point behind her sister Jadi. Kenzie produced a sassy, edgy swim to take Gold by 0.5 points from her sister.
Kenzie Malan - Youth Solo
NAG 23 Kenzie Youth Solo
Jadi Malan - Youth 13 to 15 Solo
Jadi won the figure competition - a fantastic improvement from her 5th place in March earlier in the year. Jadi swam her new Roots solo which was out of her comfort zone - embracing a more powerful style.
Jadi Malan - Youth Solo
NAG 23 Jadi Youth Solo
Arwen Coetzee - Youth 13 to 15 Solo
Arwen made the difficult transition from novice straight to Youth. Arwen was swimming her first ever solo and did so with confidence gaining valuable experience with a solid swim.
Arwen Coetzee - Youth Solo
NAG 23 Arwen Youth Solo
Jadi Malan and Kenzi Malan - Youth 13 to 15 Duet
Its been a year and a half since Jadi and Kenzie were allowed to swim together due to competition rules and they did not disappoint. Swimming their Jumanji routine with a dominant display to win Gold.
Jadi Malan and Kenzie Malan - Youth 13 to 15 Duet
NAG 23 Youth Duet Jadi and Kenzie
Cosmo Dolphins Novice Combo
Making a little bit of history by swimming a routine with a male swimmer for the first time in SA, the Combo was a great experience for our novices with youth athletes Jadi and Kenzie adding experience in the Solo and Duet sections.. Pre-competition scheduling meant that the first full practice was at the competition itself - not the normal Team Phoenix approach! Nonetheless the Combo achieved all it's goals with no base marks and a solid swim to bag Bronze.
Cosmo Dolphins Novice Combo
NAG 23 Cosmo Combo
Laura Strugnell and Jessica Hayes-Hill - Senior Tech Duet
Laura and Jess followed their Nationals victory with another at NAG to underline their status as the country's top Duet pairing. With additional SA Olympic qualifying criteria having been published the duet would have to qualify for the Paris Olympics a 2nd time in Doha, having already qualified at Fukuoka. They needed to win to secure a spot at the Doha World Champs in February 2024 and duly obliged!
Laura Strugnell and Jessica Hayes-Hill - Senior Tech Duet
NAG 23 Laura and Jess Tech Duet
Laura Strugnell and Jessica Hayes-Hill - Senior Free Duet
Laura and Jess completed the double with a comfortable win in the Free Duet to earn their place on the SA Team to Doha. Swimming their "I am Robot" routine, our senior pairing wowed the crowd with a solid swim as they prepare for World Champs in Feb.
Laura Strugnell and Jessica Hayes-Hill - Senior Free Duet
NAG 23 - Laura and Jess Free Duet
