Hartbeespoort swimmer Antonie Pieterse (20) has been shattering records in America since he started his studies and swimming career at Roberts Wesleyan University this year.

Sable International Study Abroad Sports, an organisation that helps students study and play sports in the USA, congratulated Antonie on an incredible start to his collegiate swimming career at Roberts Wesleyan University.
“Antonie has shattered records left, right, and centre, rewriting the Redhawks’ history books with 17 school records already under his belt! Some of the highlights include breaking the 50-yard freestyle record with a blazing split of 20.72, NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) provisional qualifying times in the 100 butterfly (47.96) and 200 butterfly (1:48.88), becoming the first Redhawk swimmer to achieve an NCAA provisional qualifying time, leading relays to multiple record-breaking finishes and earning Swimmer of the Meet at the East Coast Conference Championship.
Antonie’s hard work and dedication have been nothing short of inspiring, and it’s clear this is only the beginning for the standout freshman from South Africa,” Sable International Study Abroad Sports said.
Antonie, who trained with and swam for Harties Reflections Swimming and Lifesaving Club, received academic and swimming bursaries from Roberts Wesleyan University in New York State last year. “I will be studying physics and mechanical and aerospace engineering, as well as swimming for the university. I am so fortunate and looking forward to it,” he told Kormorant before he left.
Antonie started swimming lessons when he was a mere six months old. “I just never stopped. I started competing and winning competitions when I was seven. Because I was so young, I competed in older age groups. Swimming and then lifesaving have been my life ever since. If I am not studying, I am swimming,” he said.
“Swimming is a mental challenge, the fact that you have to push through pain and fatigue and deal with the stress accompanying this competitive sport.”