Four members of the Whakatāne Swimming Club returned home with an impressive haul of medals after competing at the New Zealand Open Nationals and Masters Nationals at the AUT Millennium Pool from May 15-17.

Masters swimmers Steve Williamson and Catherine Rowland enjoyed strong campaigns, with Williamson winning the men’s 50-55 age group and Rowland finishing third overall in the women’s 40-44 division.

Meanwhile, open swimmers Chloe Gladwin and Zandre Herbst competed against some of the country’s top athletes, including Olympians and Paralympians who were aiming to secure qualification for the Commonwealth Games in July.

Herbst was thrilled with his performances, particularly after achieving several personal bests during the meet.

“I was just going for PBs, and I nailed that. I got, I think, five out of six. It was nice.”

Gladwin produced an outstanding showing in the pool, claiming medals in 16 of the 18 events she contested and consistently finishing among the top three.

She competes in the mixed classification category, where swimmers with different disabilities race together and results are calculated against classification standards to determine final placings.

The championships were staged across a busy schedule at the AUT Millennium Pool, with open events held in the mornings and evenings, while masters’ races were contested during the middle of the day.

Backstroke specialist Rowland was pleased with her bronze-medal performance, while Williamson’s victory capped off an excellent week for the Whakatāne club.

The Whakatāne swimmers are coached by Mason Pickering.