Casey TigerSharks, from left, Andrew Butler, Talia Banh, Erena Koukounaras, Michael Vincent, and front, Taylor Lindsey, Matthew Shaw, Jake Duggan and Jake Templar starred at the Metro South All-Junior Eliminations on Sunday. 27585 Picture: Luke PlummerBy Marc McGowan
TWENTY Casey TigerSharks will represent the club at next month’s All-Junior finals at MSAC after several sterling performances on Sunday.
Competitors progressed to the finals with top-10 placings at the Metro South All-Junior Eliminations on the weekend.
Eight-year-olds Jake Duggan and Talia Banh, nine-year-old Adrianna Grech, 10-year-olds Matthew Shaw and Jake Templar and 11-year-old Taylor Lindsey – brother of retired club star Trent – qualified in all four strokes.
Other male qualifiers included Michael Vincent, Andrew Butler, Ben and Arnon Lodder and Fletcher Cunningham.
Female TigerSharks Tamara Banh, Nicole Rodriguez, Erena Koukounaras, Shannae Etheve, Sarah and Elise Corbett, Caitlin and Alexandra Collingwood and Emma Thomas also progressed.
Casey assistant coach James Fox was pleased with both the club-record number of qualifiers and 53 swimmers in total.
“To get those extra few kids stepping up and a fair few younger kids making the semi-finals for the first time was a fantastic effort,” he said.
“Last year we had just under 50 kids, whereas this year we had 53 kids compete on the day trying to make the top 10.
“It was fantastic to see so many kids getting in there and belting out a couple of 50s.”
Fox also highlighted Vincent’s and Cunningham’s performances.
“Michael Vincent’s butterfly was quite good and he has stepped up his training and clued into what he needs to do,” he said.
“Fletcher Cunningham also made a final and, although I thought he’d be around the mark, I didn’t think he’d quite get through.
“But it’s good for him and is a reflection on how much he’s been training and how well he’s been doing.”
Fox was equally chuffed for the TigerSharks who were making their competitive swimming debut.
“It is a lot of the younger kids that we’ve just been recruiting that have stepped up at the swim meets,” he said.
“It’s pleasing to see those guys step up a little bit and start competing for the first time and get that competition experience.”
The All-Junior finals are at MSAC on 21 and 22 March.
