IT WAS a jam-packed weekend for the SGB crew as they headed to Traralgon for the 2024 Country Short Course Championships.
A record 68 swimmers achieved qualifying times to compete, making SGB the third-biggest team at the meet and the purple caps of SGB were frequently seen heading up and down the pool.
Swimmers ranged from under 11s to the open section competing in a range of distances and strokes.
SGB once again showed they are one of the powerhouse clubs of regional Victoria, finishing a close fourth behind Ballarat Gold, Traralgon and Geelong. The team score, the highest yet, was a real team effort with the points being earned by a range of swimmers giving their best, instead of a select few winning all the events.
There was always excitement on Day 1 as the swimmers competing for their first countries were presented with their country caps to wear for the first time by team captains at the morning team meeting.
Racing kicked off early Saturday morning, continuing through the day and finishing with relays. The crew were back early on Sunday again with a full day. The meet, with 585 swimmers from clubs right across regional Victoria, was a busy one with many families from throughout the state descending for the weekend.
SGB featured regularly on the podium, as well as in the top eight. The event, hosted by Gippsland Swimming, meant many of the younger SGB swimmers were in attendance helping to hand out the medals, dreaming that one day it would be them.
It was an invaluable experience for many, with coaches giving feedback to swimmers for them to take on board and work on before the State Short Course Age Championships next month.
“I’ve been looking at how much the club has grown,” said Coach Dylan.
“Eleven years ago we had eight swimmers and now it’s 68. This year, many of our swimmers have gone up to the next age section so it’s tough for them to compete against those older than them, but they have focused on their efforts and as a consequence, we have one of the highest percentages of personal bests achieved as a result. This puts them in a good spot for States.”
“There is a fantastic group of young swimmers coming through, all so excited to be at countries and swimming, no longer just cheering on their older siblings and the enthusiasm is contagious. It puts us all in good spirits.”
Coach Caiden said, “It was a great weekend of racing, the kids had a great mindset – bouncing back if it didn’t go to plan in their races to do some great personal bests in the following events.”
Coach Lori. “I always love seeing the kids who I first had learning how to tumble turn that have worked their way through junior development squads to racing here on the big stage for the first time.
They were amazing. They know that just being here is the first step and I look forward to seeing them continue on this racing journey.”
“The other highlight has been seeing the two multi-class relay teams we have competing and winning our first medal in this section. There are not always as many opportunities for them, so it’s wonderful that they are getting a chance to compete in these ways.”
Coach Sam was pleased with the spirit of the club. “There was so much support for each other, which really helped everyone. I saw some great results for swimmers too.”
Results
Bec Barclay, 6th 400m Freestyle, 6th 100m Freestyle, 4th 200m Freestyle
Asha Chalmers, 8th 100m Butterfly, 6th 200m Butterfly
Gemma Cook, 2nd 50m Breaststroke 2nd 50m Butterfly, 2nd 50 Backstroke, 1st 50m Freestyle, 1st 100m Freestyle, 2nd 100m IM
Bel Croatto, 7th 100m Butterfly, 5th 100m IM, 7th 100m Breaststroke, 8th 200m Freestyle
Claudia Croatto, 5th 200m Breaststroke, 8th 100m Freestyle, 4th 100m Breaststroke
Emily Croatto, 5th 100m Breaststroke
Tomei Dal Pozzo, 5th Freestyle, 7th 50m Breaststroke, 4th 50m Butterfly, 5th 100m IM, 6th 50m Backstroke, 8th 100m Freestyle
Byron Doran, 7th 50m Butterfly
Billy Fisher, 4th 100m Breaststroke
Maggie Fisher, 8th 100m Freestyle, 2nd 100m Backstroke
Cormac Flynn, 2nd 200m Breaststroke
Caiden Gill, 1st 50m Freestyle, 4th 200m Freestyle, 5th 50 Butterfly, 2nd 100m Freestyle
Josh Hunt, 7th 200m Butterfly
Sienna Hunt, 8th 200m Backstroke, 3rd 200m Butterfly, 4th 200m, 4th 200IM
Levi Jarrett, 3rd 50m Breaststroke, 3rd 50m Freestyle, 4th 50m Backstroke
Ethan Lynch, 4th 50m Breaststroke
Isabella Lynch, 2nd 100m Breaststroke
Rahni Matheson, 8th 100m Freestyle, 2nd 100m IM, 4th 200m Breaststroke, 1st 100m Breaststroke, 4th 100m backstroke
Sienna Matheson, 2nd 100m Breaststroke
Dylan Muir, 4th 50m Freestyle, 7th 50m Breaststroke, 7th 50m Butterfly
Trinity O’Keefe, 4th 50m Freestyle, 5th 200m Freestyle, 8th 100 IM
Josie Richer 5th 50m Breaststroke
Miah Roberts, 2nd 200m Backstroke, 2nd 100m Backstroke, 4th 400m Freestyle, 3rd 200m IM
Jemma Rump, 7th 200m Freestyle
Zac Sherar, 8th 100m Butterfly, 6th 100m IM, 4th 400m Freestyle, 3rd 100m Freestyle, 2nd 200m Freestyle, 3rd 100 Breaststroke
Will Simmons, 6th 100m Backstroke, 6th 100m Freestyle, 8th 200m Freestyle
Archie Smyth, 5th 100m Freestyle, 4th 100m Backstroke, 5th 100m IM, 7th 100m Breaststroke, 6th 200m Freestyle
13 and under: Mixed Medley Relay Team A 3rd, B 8th, Freestyle Relay A team 3rd, B team 8th
14 and over: Mixed Medley Relay Team A 3rd, B 8th, Freestyle Relay A team 3rd
Mixed Ability Relay 3rd Team B, 4th Team A, Mixed Ability Relay Freestyle 2nd
SGB team
Madison Andreatta, Emma Barclay, Bec Barclay, Max Brocklesby, Rex Brocklesby, Asha Chalmers, Nyah Chapman, Tully Chapman, Gemma Cook, Angus Cousens, Emily Croatto, Bel Croatto, Claudia Croatto, Tomei Dal Pozzo, Molly Dettbarn, Byron Doran, Billy Fisher, Maggie Fisher, Cormac Flynn, Daisy Giliam-Rodda, Caiden Gill, Josh Hunt, Sienna Hunt, Holly Hurst, Levi Jarrett, Kiarnah Kranen, Amalia Löfgren, Ava Lucas, Hannah Lucas, Kai Lumsden, Ethan Lynch, Isabella Lynch, Rahni Matheson, Sienna Matheson, Tayah Matheson, Neka Mckenzie, Sophie Mckenzie, Harper McRae, Lacey McRae, Ruby McRae, Finn Middleton, Anna Mileto, Dylan Muir, Hugh Munro, Bayley Nicholas, Trinity O’Keefe, Brooklyn Packer, Mitchell Packer, Lachie Paterson, Zoe Paterson, Georgia Perry, Maddison Pocklington, Cooper Quaife, Josie Richer, Miah Roberts, Georgia Rump, Jemma Rump, Zac Sherar, Will Simmons, Aidan Smyth, Archie Smyth, Lara Smyth, Darby Smyth, Jarrah Tagell, Jedda Tagell and Mason Wiggins.
