Local swimmers dug deep to snatch victory from behind at this month’s country championship meet.
A strong performance on the final day of the Victorian Long Course Country Swimming Championships saw Geelong Swimming Club (GSC) claim its fifth consecutive Alan Monaghan Shield for the highest aggregate point score for all events.
Hosted by Barwon South West Swimming Association at Geelong’s Kardinia Aquatic Centre from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 January, the event brought together Victoria’s leading regional swimming clubs for a weekend of highly competitive swimming.
GSC president Tim Woods paid tribute to the community spirit on display across the three days of racing.
“Country championships are the best meet of the year, every year…they combine the fastest swimming with great regional communities, with the youngest and most senior athletes all working together, with able-bodied athletes and those with disabilities fully integrated,” he said.
With 78 competitors taking to the pool across the weekend, GSC brought home 57 medals (20 gold, 18 silver, 19 bronze) as well as a host of individual awards.
GSC athlete Nicole Briscoe was named Female Swimmer of the Meet, while Bradley Doolan was awarded Para Male Swimmer of the Meet.
Mr Woods said he was “delighted” for the athletes and coaches, whose hard work had been rewarded.
“Winning the Country Championship is great and we are very proud of Team GSC,” he said.
“But every time a young person of any ability learns to swim, trains with their friends, competes, joins the team and even become coaches themselves, we are winning and helping set young people up for the future. That is a precious community asset and we are proud to celebrate that every day.”
Mr Woods thanked the management and staff of the host venue for their efforts during the meet.
“It was great to see the Kardinia Aquatic Centre show what it is capable of delivering and the enormous potential of the most expansive regional pool complex in Victoria,” he said.
