Inter-high gala

The swimming season has been short but intense this year. With the inter-high galas two weeks earlier than normal, the swimming coaches had to ensure the girls were ready to peak by 21 February.

The season started off well with a good win at the annual Summer Splash gala. This was followed up with a second place finish at the National Aquatics event. The team lost out by three points to eventual winners, Our Lady of Fatima, from Durban. With successful results at these two big galas, the team was more determined than ever to perform well at the main event of the season, inter-high.

This year both the Premier and A inter-high galas were held at St Stithians. The spirit squad, along with the Form IIs and IIIs, were out in full force supporting our swimmers throughout the day which inspired the swimmers to swim even faster.

There were some outstanding performances (and personal best times) from our swimmers which made for some very exciting racing throughout the day.

The final results from both galas are as follows:

Premier inter-high gala:

1	St Mary's A	399
2	St Stithians	344
3	St Andrew's	343
4	St Dominic’s	285
5	Assumption	219
6	Holy Rosary	187
7	Roedean	164
8	Brescia	160
9	Kingsmead	159
10	Parktown	100

A inter-high gala:

1	St Mary's B	390
2	Jeppe	323,5
3	St Catherine's	316,5
4	St Teresa's	305
5	St Andrews B	268
6	Kingsmead College B	249
7	Brescia B	201
8	Potchefstroom Girls’ High	142
9	Assumption B	123

This is the first time that St Mary’s has won both the Premier and A Inter-high galas in the same year, which is an exceptional achievement and shows the depth of talent at St Mary’s. This result can be attributed to the hard work of the swimmers during the season and this is something each one of them can be proud of.

CINDY BROWN
HEAD OF SWIMMING