SGB swimmers dominate in All Juniors Competition

IT WAS time for the juniors to shine at Sale, as 53 South Gippsland Bass swimmers competed at the All Juniors Competition.

The top eight for the region will be going on to compete next month at the semi-finals at MSAC. 

It was an outstanding effort with 39 swimmers going on, 73 per cent of South Gippsland Bass (SGB) swimmers qualified and a number of others are emergencies. 

It is a time for the younger swimmers to shine, with age groups ranging from eight-year-olds all the way through to 16 years old. 

Coaches Sam and Lorri were impressed with how well the swimmers performed, especially the under eight and nine age group, where it is quite daunting for them to be swimming 50 metres, some for only the second or third time. 

The juniors really showed off the work they have put in over the summer training and learning to race, the smiles on their faces was evidence that the effort had been worth it.

There was great camaraderie amongst the team, as those making the top eight were read out, with cheering for all the SGB swimmers. 

It had been a tough week for swimmers, with many of their training sessions cancelled but they used their resilience and many trained at the beach instead.

Gippsland as a region is very dominant in swimming with many who make the top eight going on to make the finals from the semi-final. 

Many who miss out in Gippsland would have made it if it was on qualifying times or they were in a different part of the state, but being in the top eight for the region in the larger age groups is a superb effort.