TigerSharks are making waves

Casey TigerSharks, back, from left, Brooke Koukounaras, Brendon McKenzie, Elly Robertson, and front, Andrew West and Erina Koukounaras competed at the swimming club’s novice meet at Cranbourne Indoor Pool on Sunday.

By Marc McGowan
THE Casey TigerSharks’ future looks bright if the club’s performance at Sunday’s novice meet at Cranbourne Indoor Pool is any indication.
Thirty TigerSharks swimmers contributed to Casey’s impressive haul of 24 gold, 25 silver and 23 bronze medals at the competition.
Swimmers who have won medals at state level are ineligible to compete at novice meetings.
Fifteen-year-old Natalie Dobrunz (five gold), nine-year-old Elise Corbett (three gold, one bronze), 13-year-old Sarah Corbett (two gold, two silver) and 11-year-olds Bridget Bicsak (two gold, three silver) and Laura May (two gold) were the TigerSharks’ best female performers.
Nine-year-old Ben Lodder (four gold) and 10-year-old Jake Templar (two gold, two bronze) led the way for Casey’s male contingent.
TigerSharks head coach Ben Hiddlestone was delighted with the club’s results.
“The kids just get in and enjoy their racing … one girl was in tears after she won her first-ever medal,” Hiddlestone said.
“We’re hoping to take a team of 40 to the state championships (in January), so if the new girls like Madison Tatt, Bree Warren and Nicole Rodriguez can get state qualifying times in an event that would be a big thing for our team size.”
In other news at Casey, 18-year-old Brad York just missed becoming the TigerSharks’ inaugural semi-finalist at a major open meet.
York, Aleysha Tokai, Craig Watson, Josh Beaver and Jay Etheve competed at last week’s Australian Short Course Championships.
York finished 19th overall in the men’s 50m backstroke – missing a top-16 placing by just over a tenth of a second – and also impressed in the 100m backstroke and 100m butterfly.
Hiddlestone was rapt with York’s effort, but said the competition was more about the experience for the rest of his swimmers.
“It’s the highest standard of swimming in Australia,” Hiddlestone said.
“For Jay or Josh, if they go to the Australian Age Championships next year, they will not be as nervous now.
“It’s every man or woman for themselves – no matter how old or big or small you are.”