Report Back: Carissa van Rooyen – SA Nationals and Olympic Trials 2016

Meet / Championships Report Back

SA Level 3 Nationals (March 2016)

50m, 100m and 200m backstroke

50m and 100m Freestyle

50m Butterfly

SA Nationals and Olympic Trials (April 2016)

50m, 100m and 200m backstroke

50m and 100m Freestyle

4 X 100m Medley Relay – Woman – Central Gauteng A team

Gold – 50m backstroke – Woman – National Champion

Bronze – 100m backstroke – Elite Youth

4^th place overall – 100m backstroke – Woman

11^th place overall – 200m backstroke – Woman

Silver – 4 X 100m Medley Relay – Woman – Central Gauteng A team.

SA Level 3 Nationals

2 X Individual Gold (50m and 100m backstroke)

2 X Individual Silver )50m freestyle and 200m backstroke)

4^th place – 50m fly

5^th place – 100m

This was my 1^st SA Nationals and on top of it the Olympic Trials. Both these occurrences at the same time were extraordinary. My initiation as a first year was definitely a highlight. Witnessing history being made completely blew me away and living the disappointment of those who did not qualify was draining yet motivational.

I don’t think much will top when I won the 50m backstroke event and being a National Champion at age 13. In more ways than one this gala completely changed my perspective towards swimming and a new found respect developed for the sport.

SA Level 3 Nationals

I have not had two seasons of good training and having had a better training season in the 2015/ 2016 season helped me to look forward to doing better at this gala. A great highlight was meeting Olivia Nel. She woke us up and it was great racing against her. Another great highlight was to realise that you are as  good as your last swim and that we have excellent competition and swimmers in South Africa.

My 50m Free and Fly events stood out for me as I shocked myself when I completed the swims. I was very happy with the times I swam.

I learned at this event how to deal with great stress and that I can be as good as I allow myself to be. I also learnt that the body only goes as far as the mind pushes it.

SA Level 3 Nationals

There is a BIG difference between racing fast vs hard. I nearly lost the 100m backstroke because I swam too hard in wanting to achieve my goal time. I also learned the discipline in swimming tactically – time should not always be an objective but knowing your competitor is very important.

This gala was amazing. The stress, the emotions, the competition – wow, what an experience.

SA Level 3 Nationals

The focus and discipline of all the swimmers was great. Here you competed against your age group peers and you got a clear understanding of where you stand .

My main motivation here was to see how hard I can push myself but to have fun and enjoy the experience. The swimmers who qualified for the Olympics was also a great motivation.

SA Level 3 Nationals

My motivation for this gala was to see if I can improve my best strokes and hopefully surprise myself with strokes that I don’t focus on.

To see if I can make a semi-final or even a final.

SA Level 3 Nationals

I broke my finger  a few weeks before level 3 and it was an obstacle that I had to overcome leading up to levels  and I was worried that it would affect my racing.