TOM HAYES
SWIMMING
GIPPSLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
By TOM HAYES
FOR the 24th successive time, the Traralgon Swimming Club have taken out the Gippsland Championships, finishing the meet on a high.
Six other clubs from Gippsland competed alongside Traralgon, comprising a pack of over 500 competitors from the district.
The club raked in medals of every variety.
Individually, the club scored 50 golds, 42 silvers, and 37 bronze medals, while in the relays more medals were won; 20 golds, 14 silvers and four bronze medals.
For Traralgon, Ash Nicholes won the overall male point score champion, with a scarf of medals around his neck.
Vice-captain Molly Cargill couldn’t be stopped, winning 10 gold and one silver medal.
In the 17 years/over 50-metre backstroke, Cargill broke a 20-year record, set by Traralgon swimmer Abbie Stockdale in 2003.
Stockdale held many records in her time, and now has her eight-year-old son, Ollie, swimming at Traralgon.
Ollie picked up a bronze medal in the 50m backstroke.
The under 14s saw similar success, with Phoebe Balcombe and Archer Marsland becoming the points score champions in their respective divisions.
An encouragement award was presented to Emily Auteri.
For the best performances outside of Gippsland, Kayla Wilson won the outstanding 15 years/over award.
Records are meant to be broken, as was the case which saw six new record-holders.
Nicholes broke three records, while Courtney Ford broke two and Cargill broke one, as previously mentioned.
Outstanding efforts were made throughout the championships, thanks to swimmers, coaches, officials, parents and supporters, all of which witnessed another successful championships.
Top step: The eight years/under boys climb onto the podium.
King of the pool: Ash Nicholes, the winner of the overall male points score.
Top team: The winning Traralgon Swimming Club. Photographs supplied
Young guns: Archer Marsland and Phoebe Balcombe, the winners of the under-14 points score. Photos Supplied
Winners: The eight years/under girls team.
