Eyes On Freeman As Swimming Team Leaves For US
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday August 21, 2017 15:58
The team left yesterday under the guidance of coach, Alison La Grange.
Monitor Sport caught up with the team as they were going through their paces at the Superfit gym swimming pool at Molapo Crossing on Saturday.
La Grange said the championships will expose the swimmers to international competition.
She said the competition is open to swimmers between 15 and 18 years.
She said the championships is the first biggest competition for the team.
She said the team has been working hard for the last eight months.
“The team was picked at the beginning of the year and they have been working extremely hard. We have Freeman who just came from the Commonwealth Games where he won a bronze medal. We also have Adrian Robinson who competed at the FINA Senior World Swimming Championships where he got a Personal Best (PB),” she said.
La Grange said the other swimmers will be making their debut at the international stage and will see how they cope under pressure.
She said they are hopeful the swimmers will record Personal Bests (PBs) and set their future goals higher.
She said the championships will also give the youngsters to realise how much handwork they should put in if they want to compete at the Olympics. She said the pressure is on Freeman as most people expect a lot from him. She said the swimmer will also be using the championships to prepare for future competitions.
Regarding the growth of swimming in the country, La Grange said the sport is progressing and there is a lot of talent.
Meanwhile, La Grange said parents and the BSSA board have been supportive.
She said the trip is partly funded, with parents paying for air tickets while the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) took care of accommodation expenses. Other trip sponsors include Grand Palm, Bifm, Makoro Bricks, Mr and Mrs Ofentse Ruele, Botswana Life and Diagnofirm.
The team: Freeman, Robinson, Ayaan Aziz, Zinhle Bekker, Refentse Ruele, Alora Nkete, Leone van Rooyen. Sikhangezile Bekker (team manager) and Ana Pribil (physiotherapist).