Madibaz aquatics team eye Ussa podium finish

THE NMMU Madibaz swimming and water polo teams are pinning their hopes on an overall podium finish at this year's University Sport South Africa (Ussa) aquatics tournament, which starts at the University of Stellenbosch tomorrow.

The three-day competition will see the top student talent from leading watersport universities making a splash for their various institutions.

The Nedbank Madibaz swimming club will field an 11-strong team, including London Olympian Jessica Roux and Eastern Province swimmers Thomas Hansford, Byron Lockett and brothers Wayne and Jason Jones.

According to Madibaz aquatics manager Melinda Goosen, the swimming team will be aiming to move up the rankings after finishing just outside the top three last year.

"We came fourth in the swimming, based on the combined totals for our men and women, and would like to improve on those results," she said.

Goosen said the strongest threats were expected from hosts Maties, who are the champions in the swimming and women's water polo, and the University of Cape Town, who hold the men's water polo title.

Goosen said an additional motivating factor for participants would be their possible inclusion in Team SA for the World Student Games in Korea in July.

"SA swimming has a rich and successful history at these games. We are hopeful that both swimming and water polo will make the cut to go to Korea.

"If that is the case, this competition will be one of the qualifying tournaments for students to be considered for the team," she said.