Six Geelong Swimming Club (GSC) members have been selected for Performance Pathway Programs following stand-out results at the Australian Age Championships on the Gold Coast in April.
GSC’s largest national team to date saw 15 young athletes front the nation’s best at the pinnacle event on the swimming calendar.
Jonathan Leong brought home three medals; a trifecta in the breaststroke with podium placings across the 50, 100 and 200 metre events, an impressive feat which has seen him selected for the State Marlins squad along with Zahlie
Snijders and Cam Ricchini who all placed in the top eight within their respective age group events.
Evie Lee and Riley Blitz shone during the first days of the competition, tackling 19 events collectively within the categories for swimmers with disability.
Riley took bronze in the 100m butterfly. Both up and coming athletes have been chosen for the Victorian All Abilities Pathway Program.
As the newest member of the Victorian Flippers Squad, Jessie Steinman had a busy race schedule resulting in two bronze medals in the 200 and 100 backstroke respectively. A standout performance for a 14-year-old whose entry to the elite squad was determined by her achieving a time within 5 per cent of the World Championship qualifying criteria.
“We had a large and robust team attend the most prestigious event on the swimming calendar,” GSC head coach Aaron Tenabel said.
“With the support of our local network and stakeholders our program is achieving great results.”
Swimming Victoria’s Performance Pathway Programs are underpinned by Victorian Institute of Sport and Swimming Australia and aim to identify, support and develop promising young athletes with the vision of qualifying for international competition.
“GSC athletes being selected for pathway squads is one of the ultimate objectives for our club,” Tenabel said.
“These ambitious and dedicated athletes are a step closer to achieving their goals. Many factors need to align to equal success and the club will work to support them.”
