Cooper

KwaZulu-Natal’s Ronwyn Roper and Western Province’s Jessica Ashleigh Cooper have been recognised as rising talent following their selection as part of the SA contingent to compete in the final leg of the FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup, in Singapore from 21-22 November.

Roper, 22, took gold in the 50 and 100 metres breaststroke as well as silver in the 200 metres breaststroke, at the Telkom SA Short Course Championships held in Pietermaritzburg in August.

She will be competing in the 50 and 100 metres freestyle, 50, 100 and 200 metres breaststroke, 50 metres butterfly and 200 metres individual medley races in Singapore.

Rustenburg Girls High grade 11 pupil Cooper, 17, who also has national age group colours in biathlon, has excelled domestically in the backstroke discipline, and will travel to Singapore to compete in the 50, 100 and 200 metres backstroke, as well as the 50 metres freestyle and 50 metres butterfly.

The young swimmers will be a part of a powerful SA line up that includes the likes of Kathryn Meaklim (gold in the 800 metres freestyle and 400 metres individual medley, as well as silver in the 200 metres individual medley and bronze in the 200 metres butterfly in Durban).

Meaklim took home US$30 000 after ending third on the women’s standings after last year’s FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup.

In announcing the swimmers to compete in Singapore, Swimming SA CEO Shaun Adriaanse said: “As I wish the swimmers the best of luck for the FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup leg in Singapore, it is pleasing to see young talent such as (men’s swimmer Jay-Cee) Thompson, Roper and Cooper getting the opportunity to swim at the highest level abroad, since this experience will stand them in good stead as far as their competitive international swimming careers is concerned.”

SASCOC president Gideon Sam also added his wishes: “It is imperative that our swimmers take part in as many international competitions as possible, especially the youngsters who will be in contention for the 2012 Olympic team. The more international competition they have now, the better they will be prepared for the big stage.”