Meet / Championships Report Back |
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| Name & Surname | Duné Coetzee |
| Name of Meet | Level 3 and Senior Nationals (SANAT) 2016 |
| Date of Meet | 18 March and 10 April |
| City and Country | Port Elizabeth and Durban |
| Names of various Events participated in? | 100 Free
200 Free 400 Free 50 Fly 100 Fly 200 Fly |
| (Names of medals/ awards received for which events?) | 100 Free:
Bronze at Level 3 New NTS record Equaled the previous SA Record for girls 13 years old that were held by Erin Galagher at the start of the season 200 Free Silver at Level 3 New NTS record Broke the previous SA Record for girls 13 years old that were held by Nicola Stanley at the start of the season 400 Free Silver at Level 3 New NTS record 50 Fly Gold at Level 3 100 Fly Gold at Level 3 Silver for Elite Youth at SANAT New NTS record Broke the previous SA Record for girls 13 years old that were held by Christy Lategan at the start of the season 200 Fly Gold at Level 3 and Finals at SNAT New NTS record |
| Highlights of the event? | Level 3
My highlight for the event came in the 100 freestyle where I managed to swim a 100 meters under a minute for the first in my life! It was a tightly contested race where I got out touched into 3rd spot by Rebecca Meder. Olivia Nel came through strongly in this event and set a new South African Age Group (NAG) record. My time of 59.14 would have equaled the NAG record at the start of season). Rebecca however broke this record during the season and as mentioned, Olivia took it down even more. SANAT I fell sick on the first day of the event. Thankfully it was after my preliminaries for 100 Fly in the morning. I managed to set a new NAG record in the morning and in the process qualified for the semi-finals in the evening. This swim also earned me a silver medal in the Elite Youth category of the competition. I became ill during the day and in the semifinals that evening I still managed to qualify for the finals with a time that would have again broken the old NAG record. Unfortunately I had to withdraw from the finals the following evening. |
| Lessons learned from the event? | Level 3
After my 200 Fly I was incorrectly selected for a drug test (They were supposed to select an 18 year old). I had to swim the 200 Free a couple of events later and got completely distracted by the process and the official following me around until after I raced the 200 free. I was totally unprepared for the questions with regards of the type of medication, vitamins etc that I had taken in the week leading up to the event. Next time I will have all this prepared and will know how to handle the drug testing process better. SANAT As mentioned I became sick during the event. I got to know what it is to handle the disappointment of being in the best shape I could be in but not being able to race at my best because of circumstances outside of my control. |
| General observations and vibe of the meet? | Level 3
The same as last year – this was an amazing event for me and the vibe was again exhilarating! SANAT IT WAS THE OLYMPIC TRIALS!! What more can I say!! It was such a brilliant experience! I can’t wait for the next one 🙂 |
| What/ who / motivated you throughout the meet / champs? | At both events I had tremendous support from my coach and my parents. I tried to focus on my goals which kept on motivating me to perform at my best! |
| Biggest challenge leading up to / at the meet? | Level 3
The drug testing process as mentioned SANAT Falling sick during the event and trying to recover and race for the rest of the event. It is hard to work so hard for an event and then not being able to do what you came for. |
| Anything Else you want to mention | Can’t wait for the next season!! |
NB – All images were supplied by the athlete to Heslop Sports. If there are any images that are not credited correctly, please email info@heslopsports.co.za with the details and we will gladly do so immediately.
