The annual Durban and Districts Gala was swum on Friday 23 February at Kings Park. Once again, it was well attended by the supporters of the participating schools who spurred on their swimmers in great spirit.
Westville Boys’ High School ,South Africa’s premier swimming school which has produced 5 Olympians since 2008, did not disappoint their vociferous fans. They won every single U14,U15,U16 and U17 races with two new records being broken in the U14 age group.
The U14 age group have proved that not only is swimming alive and well at Westville, but it is in fact growing from strength to strength. The previous records were held by Chad le Clos’ relay team.
The U19 team lost to Kearsney in the Freestyle and to Clifton and Glenwood in the Breaststroke to drop 3 points, the only points dropped by Westville Boys’ High School on the evening. Westville scored 153 points out of a maximum of 156.
The Westville 2017 team is certainly one of the best that the school has ever produced, bearing in mind that WBHS has remained unbeaten since 2008, winning every local, regional and national gala that it has swum – 73 in total.
What is also very encouraging for the school is the depth in its junior age groups. On the evening of the Durban and Districts Gala, the WBHS B team which is also part of the A League Gala, finished closely behind it’s A team in the U14 and some of the U15 races.
The tussle for 2nd place at this year’s D+D was tight all night with the officials finally deciding the result with a second disqualification for Clifton, which allowed Kearsney to move into second position.
Official results:
- WBHS A – 153 out of a total of 156
- Kearsney – 105
- Clifton – 101
- Glenwood – 91
- Northwood – 50
- DHS – 30