South African National Age Group 3 Championships: Vanessa Mohr, Jessica Liss Post Record Wins

EAST LONDON, South Africa, March 7. VANESSA Mohr made the trip from Tshwane to East London worth her while as she joined Port Elizabeth swim sensation Jessica Liss in rewriting the record books, in front of a large crowd at the Telkom National Level 3 Swimming Championships, at the Joan Harrison Swimming Pool.

Mohr, 12, cruised through the water to a new national best of 29.81 secs in the 50 meter butterfly final in the women's 12 years category, eclipsing the previous SA best of 30.32, but as is becoming the norm in SA swimming, it was Liss, the St. Georges Prep Grade 7 pupil, who finished the 400 meter individual medley in 4:52.47 secs – almost three quarters of the long course pool ahead of her nearest challenger.

In so doing, Liss bettered her own previous 12 years category national best of 4:53.43.

Central Gauteng's blonde speedster Jay-Cee Thomson showed signs of class in taking gold in the 400 meter individual medley in the 16 years category in 4:31.29. KwaZulu Natal teenage star Chad le Clos show yet again that he is a name to watch out for in the future, as he took second spot in 4:34.88.

Another KwaZulu Natal swimmer who caught the eye was Wesley Gilchrist, who claimed the 100 meter freestyle honour in the 17-18 years category in 52.03. Gilchrist will be a part of the SA team that will compete at the FINA World Short Course Championships in Manchester, England from April 9-13.

Jessica Pengelly seldom fails to delight, and the crowd at the Joan Harrison swimming pool were treated to another fine swimming display from the Somerset West-based national 200 and 400 meter record-holder as she claimed the spoils in the 100 meter breaststroke (1:12.76) and 50 meter butterfly (29.07).

Special thanks to Swimming South Africa for contributing this report.

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