SWIMMING
Traralgon Swimming Club sensation Ellodie Reid became the club’s first female swimmer to win an individual age national gold medal last weekend when she took out the 12 to 13 years five kilometre open water event at the Australian Age Group Open Water Championships held at Eastern Beach in Geelong.
The 13 year-old has enjoyed recent success in distance events in the pool – being a finalist in the 200 metre and 400m freestyle and winning bronze in the 800m freestyle at the 2013 Age National Championships – however it was Ellodie’s first time competing in open water at national level.
With three swimmers in contention as the finish line approached, Ellodie pulled away to win in a time of one hour, 10 minutes and 45.11 seconds.
Coach Ben Geard was full of praise for his star student.
“Ellodie went in to the race with no expectations; her previous open water experience to date was limited to bay swims, including this year’s Pier to Pub Classic where she placed 30th female and fifth in the junior division,” Geard said.
“To come away with a win over the top 50 girls in Australia in her age group is a fantastic effort.”
The Traralgon Swimming Club will contest the Gippsland Championships over the Labour Day weekend in March before the All Junior Competition, Commonwealth Games trials and Age Nationals.
Mountainbiking
THE Gippsland Mountainbike Club has started its annual daylight savings mid-week social rides at Blores Hill.
The rides leave the trail head on Maffra-Tinamba at 7pm Wednesdays and caters for all levels of riding skill.
Groups are generally split into faster riders, intermediate riders and a more relaxed group. Beginners and first timers are welcome to attend and hone their mountainbike skills. All groups will have a leader and tail person, and will stick together during the ride. The social rides normally finish around 8.30pm to 9pm and there is no need for lights during February.
The rides may continue into March.
For holders of an MTBA or IMBA license, these rides are free or $5 for day licenses.
For more information visit
www.gippslandmtb.com.au
CRICKET
THE Gippsland Goannas over 60 cricket side suffered a high scoring defeat at the hands of Warrandyte on Sunday at Mirboo North. After winning the toss and batting the Goannas opening pair of Ian Gibson and Peter Dell took the score to 65.
Dell made 24 and Gibson made 36 before Val Popov (26) and Ian Southall (retired hurt 36) helped reach 8/174 from 40 overs.
After lunch the Warrandyte batsmen managed a better scoring rate than the Goannas, and scurried to 2/97 at the 20 over drinks break.
Alex Dowsett took two wickets, Allan Evans, Popov and Phill Higgins one each while Dell and Southall each took a catch.
Warrandyte passed the Goannas’ score in the 38th over, five wickets down.
The next game for the Goannas will be on Sunday, 2 March.
Imparja Cup
VICTORIA fell short of its past two efforts at the Imparja Cup in Alice Springs last week, finishing fifth after consecutive third place finishes.
Newborough Bulldogs all rounder Troy Oakley, playing in his fifth edition of the indigenous cricket carnival, played a supporting role, rolling down just two overs for the tournament and batting once for a return of four runs.
Victoria recorded two wins and four losses throughout the twenty20 carnival.
Approaching its 20th year, the annual indigenous tournament blends male, female, elite and community participation across five divisions – men’s and women’s state and territory, major centres and men’s and women’s community.
soccer
TRARALGON Olympians is currently recruiting for its 2014 women’s soccer team. The women train Tuesday and Thursday from 6.30pm at Harold Preston Reserve. For more information phone
0403 317 736 or email
olympianssc@bigpond.com
