Juniors make a splash outdoors

THE excitement of swimming at MSAC outdoor pool for the first time was evident amongst the youngest of the 57 SGB swimmers, who swam at the All Juniors Countries Championship on the weekend. 

South Gippsland Bass (SGB) continued their great form in the final summer meet, with some fantastic results. 

The swimmers aged 8-16, enjoyed racing against the rest of the country clubs. 

The qualifying meet, held a month ago at Warragul had the top eight swimmers in each stroke eligible to compete and with Gippsland being such a strong region, the large numbers of SGB swimmers in the finals was noticeable. 

Some events had nearly 50 swimmers and had six SGB swimmers in the top 10, such is the strength of the club in some age groups. 

For many of the youngsters, racing at MSAC is a huge learning experience, with time instantly appearing on the large screen and the special blocks. 

There was also the excitement of swimming infant of a large crowd in the full stands. 

The 40 who finished in the top 10, returned on Sunday for the finals with a number leaving with medals hanging around their necks.

“The kids swam so well on Saturday, in that heat, with so many PBs. It can be quite daunting for some of our under 8s and 9s here for the first time, but they took it in their stride and came out with plenty of smiles,” said coach Lori. 

“I’m so proud of all our juniors.”

Finalists (E – Emergency):
Rebecca Barclay 12 years 50 Fly E, 2nd 50 Back, 2nd 50 Free
Freya Berry 15 years 50 Fly E 
Billy Boyd 15 years 6th 50 Fly, 3rd 50 Back, 6th 50 B’stroke, 2nd 50 Free
Maximilian Brocklesby 13 years 7th 50 Fly, 8th 50 Free
Nyah Chapman 11 years 6th 50 Fly
Tully Chapman 9years 6th 50 Back E, 50 B’stroke E, 50 Free E
Gemma Cook MC 1st 50 Fly, 1st 50 Back, 1st 50 B’stroke, 1st 50 Free
Claudia Croatto 13 years 4th 50 Fly, 9th 50 Back, 3rd 50 Free
Emily Croatto 10 years 4th 50 Fly, 5th 50 Back, 5th 50 B’stroke, 4th 50 Free
Isabel Croatto 12 years 9th 50 Free
Andi Fisher 9 years 10th 50 Back
Billy Fisher 13 years 1st 50 B’stroke, 10th 50 Free
Maggie Fisher 11years 1st 50 Back, 3rd 50 Free
Cormac Flynn 13 years 3rd 50 B’stroke
Annie-Jean Giliam-Rodda 11 years 50 B’stroke E
Daisy Giliam-Rodda 9 years 10th 50 Fly, 50 B’stroke E 
Lachie Grimes 11 years 4th 50 Fly, 6th 50 Back, 50 Free E
Callum Hackett 10 years 6th 50 B’stroke, 
Joshua Hunt 14 years 50 Fly, 50 Back E, 50 B’stroke E
Sienna Hunt 12 years 5th 50 Fly, 3rd 50 Back, 3rd 50 Free
Holly Hurst 12 years 4th 50 Back, 50 Free
Kiarnah Kranen 12 years 50 Back E
Makenzi Kranen 9years 6th 50 Fly, 7th 50 Back, 9th 50 Free
Ava Lucas 9 years 9th 50 Fly, 7th 50 Back
Austin Lynch 8 years 7th 50 B’stroke, 10th 50 Free
Ethan Lynch 10 years 2nd 50 B’stroke, 
Isabella Lynch 12 years 3rd 50 B’stroke
Harper Mcrae 12 years 6th 50 Fly, 6th 50 Back, 8th 50 Free
Mitchell Packer 9 years 6th 50 Free 
Lachlan Paterson 15 years 50 Fly E, 8th 50 Back, 50 B’stroke E
Josie Richer, 9years 50 Fly E, 1st 50 Back, 2nd 50 Free
Miah Roberts 13 years 2nd 50 Back, 
Jasmine Ruffin 14 years 9th 50 B’stroke, 
Jemma Rump 11 years 9th 50 Free 
William Simmons 13 years 2nd 50 Back.
Archie Smyth 11 years 1st 50 Fly, 5th 50 Free, 
Darby Smyth 9 years 4th 50 Fly 
Lara Smyth 15 years 10th 50 B’stroke
Jarrah Tagell 13 years 50 Fly E, 50 back E
Mason Wiggins 11 years 6th 50 Back E, 9th 50 Free 
Emma Barclay, Lachlan Carew, Lachlann Christensen, Lucas Jungwirth, Amalia Lofgren, Hannah Lucas, Addie Manne, Tayah Matheson, Heidi McMillan, Noah McMillan, Brooklyn Packer, Mya Richer, Eden Roberts, Harper Perry, Maddison Pocklington, Aidan Smyth and Matilda Swann also swam.