Pangelinan shatters NMI swim record

Xenavee Pangelinan set a new NMI record in the 200m individual medley after clocking 2:30.33 in the recent Pan Pacific Swimming Championship in Sydney, Australia.

Pangelinan improved her personal best to place second in her heat and smash Jessica Jordan’s record of 2:31.7 which the latter held since 1995 when she competed in the South Pacific Games in Tahiti.

However, Pangelinan lost in the 400m individual medley. “The water was cold and I was really nervous,” she said.

In the last SPG held in Guam, Pangelinan won a gold medal in 400m individual medley and set a game new record of 5:15.35. She won three silver medals during the competition.

Top swimmers from the United States, Australia, Japan and several South American countries participated in the championship.

Four world records have been set during the first three days of competition. Ian Thorpe of Australia broke the record for the 400 and 200 freestyle; Penny Heyns of South Africa in the 100 breaststroke; and Jenny Thompson of USA in the 100 butterfly.

Meanwhile, three more NMI swimmers competed for the Paumalu Warriors waterpolo team in Hawaii, one of the largest waterpolo tournaments around.

The invitational tournament was participated in by 113 teams from Japan, Australia, Hawaii and many states in the US. Teams were made up of 12, 14, 16 and 18 years and under.

Tammy Winkfield competed in the 14 and 16 and under team, while Audra Winkfield and Tracy Feger competed on the 16 and under team.

All three were starters in their respective teams after the first game. Tammy played both the in field and in the goal in her 12 games, while Audra and Tracy played in the field in their 8 games. Audra scored two goals and all played excellent defense.