Local swimmers take ontheir biggest challenge yet

“THEY look like Olympians on the TV they are going so fast,” was the comment made by fellow South Gippsland Bass (SGB) swimmers at home, watching their team mates on 9now swimming at the Australian Age Championships at the Gold Coast from April 7-15. 

The purple caps stood out as the splashed down the pool at speed.

The swimmers stepped up, enjoying the big setting to race against the best of Australia in an incredibly competitive competition. The smiles on their faces before and after races was evident, showing how relaxed and prepared they were and how proud they were to be there and racing. 

The team who competed were Claudia Croatto, Rahni Matheson, Miah Roberts, Sienna Matheson, Olivia Holmes, Will Simmons, Zac Sherar, Cooper Quaife, Hayden Barnes and Mostyn Lumsden. 

The coaches for the event were Dylan Muir and Caiden Gill.

The team, the largest SGB has sent, saw swimmers racing in a range of strokes and distances in the mornings with finals in the evening. 

This is an amazing effort to swim a 200m or 400m event and then return and do it in the evening. 

SGB weren’t there just to make up the numbers, with several swimmers making finals and despite a busy summer and energised by the moment, swam a number of PBs much to the delight of their coaches and families watching from the stands.

 They also met with former SGB swimmer Nathan Foote who has competed for many years at the championships and gave them advice. 

Dylan Muir, head coach, was thrilled with the team’s performance. 

“The Australian Champs are the pinnacle of Australian swimming. It was great to have our biggest team and so many first timers this year. They have learnt a lot and will be better for the experience gained across a week of racing under high pressure.”

Only a handful of the team had raced at nationals before, and the new swimmers now have increased motivation after really enjoying the experience. 

“That was my most favourite event and swim ever.” said first timer Claudia Croatto, after her 100m Breaststroke, who is now more determined to return next year after finishing 29th in both her events.

In races with over 130 swimmers in them, even making top 50 is tough. 

SGB had two finalists, Olivia Holmes with four appearances including one, third place and Rahni Matheson one final. 

All other swimmers finished within the top 50 of one of their events, including a huge effort given the calibre of racers. 

When asked about her time at the Australian Age Nationals, Olivia Holmes responded:

“It was honestly full of very high highs and the lowest of lows but overall was an amazing experience. I was so grateful to be racing and I couldn’t of done it without my family and friends and my amazing coaches.” 

“I went into the beginning of my races feeling no pressure and was just living in the moment and feeling so blessed to be racing under the sun in the beautiful Gold Coast and under the bright lights and killer atmosphere in the finals. 

“On my last morning of racing nothing really went to plan so I was disappointed, but proud. It was really such a great learning experience and I’m so grateful to be there and do as well as I did. thank you everybody for all the support and everything I appreciate it more than anything. I can’t wait to do it all again!”

Racing continues with the Open Aged Australian Championships this week, with former SGB Josh Seignoir competing. 

Results:

Olivia Holmes 200m Backstroke 5th F, 100m Backstroke 3rd F, 400m Medley F 5th, 50m Backstroke 32nd, 200m Freestyle 6th F, 200m Medley 12

Miah Roberts 200m Backstroke 66th, 100m Backstroke 67th, 50m Backstroke 50th

Rahni Matheson 100m Breaststroke 49th, 50m Breaststroke 20th Finalist,  

Claudia Croatto 100m Breaststroke 29th, 50m Breaststroke 29th

Sienna Matheson 100m Breaststroke 35th, 50 Breaststroke 43rd

Zac Sherar 50m Freestyle 46th, 50m Breaststroke 34th, 200m Freestyle 48th, 100m Breaststroke 38th, 100m Freestyle 63rd, 200m Breaststroke 28th

Will Simmons 50m Freestyle 88th, 200m Medley Relay 43rd

Hayden Barnes, 200m Medley Relay 43rd

Cooper Quaife, 200m Medley Relay 43rd

Mostyn Lumsden100m Butterfly 34th, 200m Medley Relay 43rd, 200m Freestyle 44th, 50m Fly 49th, 100m Freestyle 114th, 50 Backstroke 43rd, 200m Butterfly 21st.