Twelve Otago swimmers are set to compete at the national secondary schools championships starting in Hamilton today.
Led by Caitlin Deans, who is to represent New Zealand at the Australian state team age-group short-course championships in Canberra later this month, Columba College is sending the largest group.
Deans is joined by Devon Familton, Meg Sycamore, Teigan Tarapi and Gabrielle Trotter from the school.
John McGlashan College pupils Matthew Gillespie, Geoffrey Kemp and Cameron Moran will also be in the pool early this morning, while South Otago High School has Trent Dickie and Ella-Rose Lawrence competing.
Cecilia Crooks, who is also competing in Canberra with Deans later in the month, is the only St Hilda's Collegiate pupil, while Tame Govaerts will represent King's High School.
Deans, Trotter and Crooks all impressed at the national short-course championships in Auckland last month, and should be in the thick of the medals.
Govaerts did not compete in Auckland, but was the form Otago swimmer at the national age-group championships in Wellington in May, when he won and broke his own Otago age-group records in the boys 15-years 50m and 200m breaststroke.
Morning and afternoon sessions will be held today and tomorrow.
The meet will conclude with a morning session on Sunday.
