Youngsters lead NSWIS in Europe

Swimmers Kenneth To and Olivia Halicek have started their summer tour of Europe in style by narrowly missing out on medals at the Barcelona leg of the 2011 Mare Nostrum Series.

Day one of competition in Barcelona was highlighted by To’s fourth place finish in the men’s 200m individual medley. To was only 0.14 seconds from taking bronze in the race that was eventually won by Hungarian Laszlo Cseh.

Fellow NSWIS athlete Halicek finished fourth in the women’s 50m freestyle. Halicek, the reigning Australian women’s 50m freestyle champion, clocked a smart time of 25.61 to begin her tour with a solid result.

Day two of competition saw To and Halicek competing in the men’s 50m freestyle and women’s 50m butterfly, respectively. To finished in equal fourth with fellow Australian Cameron Prosser in 22.88 seconds, while Halicek clocked a time of 27.58 seconds to finish eighth.