Mundie in smashing form at pool showdown
CENTRAL Cairns Swimming’s Joel Mundie maintained his record-breaking form, as the Far North celebrated its annual award-winners at the FNQ Short Course Championships.
Mundie smashed another Australian age record at the meet to complement the three national record times he claimed earlier in the year.
The 15-year-old multi-class athlete was one of more than 150 local swimmers, representing 10 clubs, to compete at the event, held at the TAS Aquatic Centre.
Despite dreary conditions, many Far North records were broken over three days of intense racing, which also saw a number of local swimmers achieve qualifying times for upcoming state and national competitions.
Standout swims came from Marlin Coast’s Hugo Loveridge, Cairns Stingrays’ Ryan Woodward and TAS Swimming’s Jacinta Kome and Enna Thorpe, who all achieved at least 50 points in their respective age champion category.
TAS Swimming claimed the champion relay club and champion overall club.
The 2019-20 season was also celebrated, with Ike Martinez named FNQ Swimmer of the Year and Ella Goddard receiving the Sir Thomas Covacevich Award, which recognises commitment to the sport and a dedication to strive.
FNQ Swimming president Jim Greatorex said the weekend also saw a first for the association.
“With the COVID-19 restrictions in place, industry plan compliance meant that currently swimming events are spectator limited,” he said.
“Only technical officials and limited numbers of volunteer parents for supervision and event responsibilities such as timekeeping are permitted.”
Many of the swimmers will compete at the Queensland Short Course Championships in Brisbane from September 25-27.
FNQ Swimming’s long course summer season begins on October 2 at Marlin Coast Aquatic Centre.