Staff Writers
SWIMMING
A TEAM of 83 Gippsland Swimmers once again claimed the title of Country Junior District Champions at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on Saturday, November 5. Historically, Gippsland were the champion district at the previously named ‘Country 7-10 Competition’ from 1978-1988. From 1989, the trophy was won by Ovens & Murray District for the next 4 years. Gippsland reclaimed the title in 1993 and has held onto it since. Gippsland coaches for the day were Caiden Gill (Traralgon), Lorrianne Mckenzie (South Gippsland), and Penny Georgeson (Traralgon), under the team management of Simon Turnbull (Sale) and Miriam Ripper (Sale). The Gippsland team consisted of 83 swimmers spread across the South Gippsland Bass (33), Warragul (9), Sale (10), Traralgon (22), East Gippsland (4), Moe (4), and Morwell (1). At the conclusion of the day, Gippsland were declared the overall champions with a total of 1302 points, led by captains Max Auteri (Traralgon) and Chloe Szkwarek (Traralgon), 202 points ahead of rival Ovens and Murray. During the meet, the team won eight individual events, came second on four occasions and placed third 14 times. The team also won five relay events, placed second four times and third twice. Place-getters on Saturday, November 5: 11-Year Old-Girls: Rebecca Barclay (South Gippsland): 3rd 50-metre Backstroke; Gemma Cook (South Gippsland): 3rd 50m Backstroke, 3rd 50m Freestyle; Adelaide Ripper (Sale): 2nd 50m Breaststroke; Chloe Szkwarek (Traralgon): 1st 50m Butterfly, 2nd 50m Backstroke, 3rd 50m Freestyle. 11-Year-Old Boys: Max Auteri (Traralgon): 3rd 50m Backstroke; Rex Brocklesby (South Gippsland): 1st 50m Butterfly, 1st 50m Backstroke, 2nd 50m Freestyle; Harry Kurrle (Traralgon): 3rd 50m Butterfly. 10-Year-Old Girls: Mackenzie Gibbs (Sale): 3rd 50m Breaststroke; Elise Pratt (Traralgon): 3rd 50m Freestyle. 10-Year-Old Boys: Archie Smyth (South Gippsland): 1st 50m Backstroke, 1st 50m Freestyle; Jayden Tran (Morwell): 1st 50m Butterfly, 3rd 50m Breaststroke; Max Williamson (Sale): 1st 50m Breaststroke. 9-Year-Old Boys: Logan Gibson (Warragul): 3rd 50m Butterfly, 2nd 50m Breaststroke, 3rd 50m Freestyle; Ethan Lynch (South Gippsland): 3rd 50m Breaststroke. 8-Year-Old Girls: Pippa Biorci (Warragul): 3rd 50m Backstroke; Pippa Brideson (Sale): 3rd 50m Breaststroke. 8-Year-Old Boys: Hayden Rawson (Traralgon): 1st 50m Backstroke.
