PNG Swimming Inc names aquatic excellence squads

By LESLIE OMARO
FOLLOWING the successful conclusion of the TNT national short course swimming championships the aquatic excellence squads for 2011 and 2012 have been named.
The championships were held at the Murray International School and more than 70 swimmers from Boroko, Lae swim clubs and overseas-based swimmers vied for a spot in the excellence squads.
The overseas-based swimmers were Shanice Paraka, George Leigh Vele, Ryan Pini, Alistair Blake, Savannah and Ebony Tkatchenko and Barbara Vali.
Papua New Guinean Swimming Inc president Elizabeth Wells said that every year after the national championships squads were selected.
“Basically, every year or every 12 months from September, the squads are selected again so swimmers have to qualify from the outside to make it into the squad.
“It’s more like renewing or retaining their spots in the squad if they make the qualifying time,” Wells said. 
The 10 junior silver squad members are Raila Ila, Chase James, Javana Johnson, Ryan Liew, Emmanuel Nuan, Georgia Pollock, Mathew Vali, Juanita Vava, Luke Vava and Nancy Wiseman.
The seven swimmers that received gold caps were Leanard  Kalalte, Ben Paton, James Runnegar, Natasha Sagon, Savannah Tkatchenko, Ebony Tkatchenko and Catherine Vali.
In the intermediate excellence squad, 19 swimmers qualified for a place in the silver and gold squads.
The silver squad members are Alistair Blake, Ruth Bunena, Ben Cross, Angus Dubar, Kimberly Ila, Caitin Mendoza, Olive Meraudje, Jasmine Mileng, Jodi Mileng, Hector Smith, Bethani Tukana and George Leigh Vele.
The gold squad members are Bobby Akunaii, Millie Knight, Peter Kunda, Asthon Kunda, Aika Livingstone, Ryan Maskelyne and Shanice Paraka.
The elite swimmers in the gold squad were Ryan Pini, Peter Pokawin, Sam Seghers, Barbara Vali, Silver Marcus Blake and Jenixon Lim.
Two other elite swimmers Judith Meauri and Ian Nakmai were unable to attend as they are training and studying in the United States under a scholarship awarded to them by Oceana National Olympic Committee.
“Judith and Ian will be competing in their first club competition in Iowa on Oct Oct 21,” Wells said.