Young Southlander sets national record wins gold
The 15-year-olds time of 25.96sec beat the old mark of 26sec set by Aucklands William Benson in 2003.
McDonald also won silver in the 100m freestyle in a Southland age-group record of 54.54sec, breaking the record set by Richard Tapper in 1984.
A great week was completed on the final night of the championships when McDonald won bronze in the 50m freestyle after a setting a Southland age-group record during the heats.
He then went on to win the 100m butterfly in a Southland age-group and open record time of 57.69sec.
Also in good form was 15-year-old Rebecca Smith, who qualified for four finals, with her best results coming with a bronze in the 200m breaststroke and a fourth in the 800m freestyle. Smiths time in the freestyle of 9.20.52 beat the Southland age-group record set by Joyce Wiegersma by nearly 7sec.
Sixteen-year-old Penny Hayes made seven finals in the highly competitive 16-year age group, winning three medals, including gold, in the 200m individual medley.
Hayes won bronze medals in the 400m individual medley and the 100m freestyle where she almost broke the 60sec barrier with a time of 1.00.9.
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