Geelong Swimming Club (GSC) has followed up its 2023 Victorian Country Championships win in January by taking out the 2023 Victorian Short Course Country Championships crown this month.
One of 35 clubs competing in Wangaratta on August 12 and 13, the GSC team of 75 competitors and coaches were the highest-scoring club at the meet, claiming the Robert Carmichael Memorial Trophy.
As well as taking out the club crown, GSC saw some excellent individual and team results, with club members breaking a number of records over the weekend.
Club captains Nicole Briscoe and Cam Ricchini led from the front, with Briscoe breaking the 200m freestyle record and Ricchini setting a new 400m individual medley all-time best, while the club’s 13/under mixed medley relay team also set a new record in their event.
GSC also entered three teams in the inaugural able-bodied/para relay event, which headlined the second day of the meet, claiming a silver medal.
GSC head coach and former Australian Dolphin Aaron Tenabel said the event was an important one on the swimming calendar.
“Country Champs is one of the first championship meets a swimmer can qualify for, so we all come together and cheer our team,” Tenable said.
“The racing is tough and fast which sets swimmers up for state and national championships in the coming weeks.”
The swimming club has continued to benefit from year-round access to Kardinia Park Aquatic Centre, which was initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Geelong council’s 2023-24 draft budget proposed returning the aquatic centre to a seasonal facility, public outcry saw councillors include all-year funding for the centre, guaranteeing winter access to a 50-metre pool for the club.
“We are grateful to the City of Greater Geelong; access to facilities all year round enables our athletes to develop and our club to remain one of the most competitive,” Tenabel said.
