Taljaard, Nyanchama, Irungu star in Nairobi level I meet

Hillcrest’s Megan Taljaard, and Ataya Nyanchama and Megan Irungu from Loreto Convent Valley Road starred to prevail in their categories during the Kenya Swimming Federation Nairobi Level I Championships at Makini School.

Taljaard collected 37 points to win the overall title in 16 and over women after victories in 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle and 100m backstroke besides finishing fifth in 50m breaststroke.

Kenyatta University’s Barbara Kangwana settled second with 25 points after winning 50m butterfly followed by Moraa Ataya from Loreto Convent Msongari with 10 points.

Taljaard went for the 100m freestyle in 1 minute and 25.54 seconds, beating Beryl Onyancha from Loreto Convent Msongari 1:26.23 and Aga Khan Academy’s Musqaan Admani 1:33.35.

Taljaard wrapped up a double when she tapped the wall in 3:16.44 to claim the 200m freestyle victory, brushing aside Kangwana in 3:47.08 and Inara Lalani from St Mary’s School in 4:05.06.

Taljaard would win the 100m backstroke contest in 1:37.68 after seeing off Kangwana and Deepa Bhana also from Kenyatta University in 1:53.28 and 2:28.32.

Taljaard second in 50 butterfly in 47.98 an event won by Kangwana in 46.11 and fifth in 50m breaststroke in 52.34 seconds, losing the battle to USIU Dolphins Stacy Samoe, who won in 49.28.

Nyanchama, a form two student, won girl’s 14-15 series with massive 41 points after victories in 100m backstroke, 100m individual medley, 50m breaststroke, 50m freestyle and 100m breaststroke.

Nyanchama took 1:44.56 to triumph in 100m backstroke, beating Sandra Wangechi from Aga Khan Academy in 1:47.01 before winning the 50m breaststroke in 51.87 where Tracie Rabar from Aga Khan Academy came in second in 52.98.

Nyanchama was home and dry in 100m breaststroke in 1:55.36 where Otters Swim Club’s Michelle Otieno finished second in 1:56.78.

“It was a good show but I want to pull up my socks especially in fly events where I need to grade to level II just like the rest,” said Nyanchama, who also won the 50m freestyle in 36.03 and 200m individual medley in 3:41.61.

“My dream is to represent Kenya at the Olympics in future."

Irungu amassed 35 points to win girl’s 12-13 series. The class seven pupil won 100m individual medley in 1:35.14, the 100m freestyle in 1:26.82 and 50m butterfly in 45.10.

Irungu clocked 1:53.23 to take 100m breaststroke event before her last victories  in 200m backstroke and individual medley in 3:28.88 and 3:25.14 respectively.