NATALIE WIEGERSMA
After a slow start - Natalie broke onto the National scene at the age of 14 winning the 200M Medley at NZ Age Groups.
A prolific record breaker, Natalie swam all strokes but excelled in Medley events.
Smashing countless Southland records that she stills holds to this day.
Natalie broke 67 records in ONE season. That in itself would have to be a record.
At the NZ Youth and Open Champs in 2007 - Natalie won an amazing 11 National medals and most of those were Gold.
She broke several NZ Age and Open Records in all strokes.
Making her first NZ Swim Team in 2005 to compete in the Trans Tasman series in Australia - she returned to the same team the following year and was named as NZ's 'Swimmer Of The Series.'
At the FINA Worls Youth Olympics in Rio, Natalie became a World Youth Champion winning the 100M Backstroke.
2007, saw her in National teams for Junior Pan Pacifics and the Youth Development team for the U.S.A tour- it was on this tour, Natalie set a number of new NZ records.
In 2008, Natalie was injured but still managed to National titles and set Southland records.
2010, Natalie was name in the squad to head to Delhi Commonwealth Games where she swam in the 100M Butterfly, 200M and 400M Medley events.
In the heat for 200M Medley, Natalie set a NZ record.
Two days later, swam in the 100M Fly breaking yet another NZ record.
Making the final for her 400M Medley but pulling our due to illness.
2012, Natalie was the first woman from Southland to make the Olympic Swimming team for NZ. She went to London and swam in the 200M and 400M Medley.
Upon returning, Natalie retired from swimming at 22. Content with her efforts.