Scholars enhance UWC life - United World College of South East Asia

Dunia, April 2010
16
Combined champions at SEASAC Swimming 2010
Supporting teammates, competitive spirit
and giving it their best are just a few of
the positive characteristics of a UWCSEA
swimmer. This was clearly displayed
once again at the SEASAC Championship
meet this year which was hosted by
the British International School of Jakarta.
Once again we were going into this
meet as last year’s champions and we
knew we would have to work very hard
to defend our title. The competition from
our big rival, Patana, was going to be
really tough. It would take each swimmer
digging really deep and giving it their best
in each race to have a chance to take the
over title for another year.
The coaches were amazed at how the
swimmers continued to come out of the
water with personal best times even after
already racing five times during the day.
Top finishes were: Mayumi Raheem (8
gold - two SEASAC records), Constance
Tan (2 gold - one SEASAC record, 3
silver), Mun Yi Yoon (4 silver), Lukas
Ming Menkhoff (7 gold - all SEASAC
records, 1 silver), Jan Hejl (2 gold, 2
silver and 2 Bronze), Jon Quin (1 silver,
2 bronze), Kimberly Alabaster (2 silver),
Phoebe Hutchinson (4 silver, 1 bronze),
Stephen Khalek (1 silver), Beth Lane
(1 silver, 1 bronze), Josephine Lefranq
Frojd (1 silver, 3 bronze), Francesca Ngu
(1 bronze), Christine O’Donnel (1 gold,
1 silver, 1 bronze) and Charlie Quin (4
bronze). These placings are fabulous but
even better was that every team member
put forth an incredible effort in every race.
Our 15 & Over Boys (Ben, Jon, Jan and
Stephen) won two of their relays and the
15 & Over Girls (Mayumi, Beth, Mun Yi
and Constance) team was unstoppable
as they won every relay. The 13-14 Boys
(Alex, Charlie, Bradley and Lukas) came
away with three golds and one silver in
the relays and the 13-14 Girls (Frances,
Francesca, Christine and Kimberly) came
away with three Silvers. The 12&U Girls
(Smilla, Phoebe, Josephine and Grace)
earned three bronze medals for their
relay efforts and the 12&U Boys (Matt,
Harry, Raj and Sohil) put gave everything
they had to achieve a 5 th and 4 th placing.
Top placing individual swimmers were
Mayumi, who won the high point award
for the girls and Lukas, who was the
runner-up in points on the boys side.
On the second day of the competition we
were behind Patana by roughly 40 points.
It seemed like an incredible gap to fill in
order the catch them and to remain the
Championship team. During the awards
dinner, when the organiser announced
that their were only 10 points separating
the two top teams the room fell silent.
“Second place with 921 points… Patana”.
We knew we had won the title for other
year and the UWCSEA swimmers gave
out a loud cheer.
Thanks to Mel and Henry for their dedication
on the coaching front. Thanks also to
all the parents who supported the team
with their loud cheers from the stands.
Jason Bell
Photos by Henry Chang