Gippsland swimmers top the state
Gippsland Swimming took top honours at the Victorian Country Junior Dolphins meet at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre recently, with Cooper Quaife of Poowong captain of the team.
Cooper, who swims for the South Gippsland Bass club, led the team alongside Traralgon’s Molly Cargill. The team was made up of 19 swimmers from Warragul, 20 from Sale, 22 from Traralgon, 14 from East Gippsland Water Dragons, two from Moe, one from Morwell and 27 from South Gippsland Bass.
Paul Myers of Warragul formed part of a coaching team that also included Dylan Muir and Lorrianne McKenzie (South Gippsland Bass), Cameron Juha (Traralgon) and Gary Cole (East Gippsland Water Dragons). Team Managers were Glen Dihood (Sale) and Renee Cargill (Traralgon).
Throughout the meet the swimmers won 36 firsts, 24 seconds and 24 thirds. The team also won 14 firsts and one second from 16 relay events.
Placegetters for the day were:
12-year-old girls: Molly Cargill (Traralgon): 6 firsts, 2 seconds; Isabella Risch (Warragul): 2 firsts, 1 second, 3 thirds; Nicolette Wight (South Gippsland Bass): 2 seconds; Mia Nippers (Traralgon): 2 thirds.
12-year-old boys: Cooper Quaife (South Gippsland Bass): 4 firsts, 2 seconds, 1 third; Seth Cannon (Warragul): 1 third; Arki Vardy (Sale): 2 seconds, 2 thirds.
11-year-old girls: Ainsley Trotter (Traralgon): 2 firsts, 2 seconds, 2 thirds; Ella Warner (Traralgon): 1 second; Olivia Baillie (Traralgon): 1 third; Isabella Tatterson (Sale): 1 first, 1 second; Poppy Barry (Warragul): 1 third.
11-year-old boys: Ashley Nicholes (Traralgon): 8 firsts; Sam Wells (Warragul): 1 second; Patrick Griffin (Warragul): 5 seconds, 1 third; Mostyn Lumsden (South Gippsland Bass): 1 third.
10-year-old girls: Chloe Joiner (Warragul): 3 firsts; Layaleeta Pannu (Moe): 1 second, 2 thirds; Rahni Matheson (South Gippsland Bass): 1 first.
10-year-old Corbin Blake boys: (East Gippsland Water Dragons): 1 first, 1 second, 1 third; Joshua Newstead (East Gippsland Water Dragons): 1 first.
Nine-year-old girls: Layla Chapman (East Gippsland Water Dragons): 1 third; Shae Nippers (Traralgon): 1 second; Makaylen Di Sisto (Warragul): 1 third.
Nine-year-old boys: Brody Cargill (Traralgon): 4 firsts; Kael Frith (East Gippsland Water Dragons): 1 second, 1 third; Xavier Newton (East Gippsland Water Dragons): 1 third; Lukas Kempff (East Gippsland Water Dragons): 1 third.
Eight-year-old girls: Abby Horder (Sale): 3 firsts, 1 second; Sienna Hunt (South Gippsland Bass): 1 third.