SAVANNA Best '18 Recruiting Profile

I was born in Cape Town on July 2000.  Passionate about sport, I have been working towards my dream of swimming at the Olympic Games since the age of 7.

July 2018, I graduated from Mount Kelly College having completed my A-levels and GCSE's with a B+ average. I moved to the USA to attend IRSC in Florida on their swimming program under the guidance of Head Coach, Sion Brinn. 

January 2019, i passed the first semester (August 2018 - January 2019, with a 3.82 GPA; only one of 10% of all athletes across the board. 

I am studying towards a Doctorate in Psychology.

Since joining the IRSC Swim team, I have achieved PB’s in 50 breast, 100 breast, 200 breast, 100 IM, 200 IM, 400 IM and freestyle.

I am a focused individual who strives to achieve goals set by my coach and myself. To date I have broken over 80 Provincial records and in excess of 60 school records.  I have excellent work ethics believing in giving 150% to everything I do.  I thrive on competition...and would welcome the opportunity to complete my education and swim training in the USA .  

Achievements include but not limited to;

January 2019, my first semester at IRSC I achieved a 3.82 GPA and was the recipient of a plague awarded to only 10% of all athletes across the board for academic excellence.

2017,  I qualified to compete in the Commonwealth Trials, the British Nationals and British Championships and competed at the German Youth Nationals, Berlin. I have set various schools records over the past 9 months and was the recipient of the Grade 12 Art prize.

Scottish Nationals Short Course Champs, December 2016, I won 4 trophies and set school records.

ASA South West Short Course Champs, 5-6 Nov 2016, I won 3 trophies for 200 IM, 100 IM and 50 breast in the open age group category and swam PB's in all my events.

Mount Kelly records November 2016; 50m Breaststroke 32.86; 100m Breaststroke 1.09.92; 200m Breaststroke 2.34.43; 100 I.M 1.04.94; 200 I.M 2.16.93

ASA South West Short Course Champs, Nov 2015, I won 7 trophies for 50 Breast, 100 breast, 200 breast in the U15 and open age group categories.

December 2014, KZN Premier Championships, I won 6 GOLD, 1 SILVER and 3 BRONZE medals, swimming in an older age category. I am the holder of numerous Western Province and Natal National records.

 June/July 2014 – SSA High Performance Tour to Pescara and Pesaro, Italy, I competed in Italy over a two week period and returned from Italy having won 9 GOLD, 2 SILVER and 3 BRONZE medals. I was awarded the top junior swimmer in Italy award.

 13-17 March 2014 – SSA Level 3 National Swim Champs, I was selected by SSA to be part of the Junior SA Swim team to be fast tracked for the Olympics.

27 November – 2 December 2013, I participated in the 10th Africa Junior Championships, Lusaka.  I returned having won 3 gold and 3 silver medals. Savanna was awarded the South African Swimming Blazer for outstanding achievements.

In April 2012, Savanna participated in the CANA Swim Championships in Mozambique.  She was awarded Junior South African Swimming  Colours.  I returned from Lusaka, having won 3 GOLD and 3 SILVER medals.

I have been the recipient of the prestigious FINA award at the Western Province Long and Short Course Championships twice; beating girls 4 years her senior.

I am disciplined in all aspects of  life. I love art and enjoy relaxing with nature.  I have been the Western Province Cross Country champion for 6 consecutive years and won numerous awards during the 7 years of running before hanging up my takkies to focus on swimming.