Successful champs for Warragul
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Warragul’s very own “awesome foursome” Callum, Anton, Ben and Riley - smashed the competition, producing a 3.17 second personal best to take home the silver medal in a national qualifying time.
They were the only country relay team to get on the podium at the five-day event and the first ever Warragul relay team to achieve this outstanding result.
When Riley Griffin was unavailable, Seth Cannon stepped in for the boys 12 to 15 medley relay, helping to secure fourth place and another national qualifying time – missing out on third by only 0.25 of a second.
The boy’s win set the tone for the championships and the team continued to achieve other fantastic results, including 29 individual PBs. In all, 18 swimmers also placed in the top 15 and 13 finals with Callum in seven, Jess in three, Izzy in two and Paddy in one.
The country club results saw Warragul finish fifth overall behind Traralgon, Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat.
It was an amazing effort and testament to the training program led by coaching director Paul Myers.
The club is now looking forward the Victorian Country Championships in Warrnambool this weekend. Qualifying took place recently at the third outdoor meet of the season.
The Last Blast Meet is the final chance for swimmers to obtain 2020 Victorian Country Championship qualifying times. Given that East Gippsland is home to two swimming clubs that have families affected by the bushfires, the WSC committee thought it fitting to donate profits from catering on the day to the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund.
With 250 hungry swimmers and their parents in attendance, they raised $1858 – a fantastic result.
The Warragul Leisure Centre also kindly offered to donate profits made from door entries on the day.
This year is shaping up to be a big year for the Warragul Swimming Club, hosting the Gippsland All Juniors Meet on Saturday, February 8 as well as the 2020 Gippsland Championships from March 7 to 9. The championships will bring more than 450 swimmers and their families to the Baw Baw Shire for the three-day event.
With heats in the morning and finals in late afternoon, it promises to be a great showcase of local talent. The club welcomes people to attend and experience the awe-inspiring atmosphere of competitive swimming.
For more information and to keep up to date on the latest news, visit the Warragul Swimming Club’s Facebook page.