Novices lap up swim meet

By Gavin Staindl
AS THE older TigerSharks gear up for a turbulent few months, the new pedigree of local swimmers was on display on Sunday.
Casey held its 30th novice meet for 8-14-year olds at Casey Arc with participation and encouragement the key emphasis for coach Ben Hiddlestone.
Hiddlestone said that the event was well attended with participants from as far as Phillip Island, Mornington Peninsula and Rosebud making their way to the Narre Warren pool.
Upcoming stars Michael Vincent and Eric Crawford were both stand-outs on the day while Sophie Li, Jessica Faoro and Tamara Bahn were also singled out for their efforts.
According to Hiddlestone, low-key events such as the novice meet are just as important to a swimmers’ development as the official, point-getting meets.
“They’re critical,” Hiddlestone said.
“You can’t be a good swimmer without getting through these meets.
“It is not serious swimming because you can’t get disqualified and it is open to all swimmers, not just those associated with Swimming Victoria, but they still get ribbons, they still learn about racing and they can still see their times on the website.
“It’s a good stepping stone,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hiddlestone and his older aged juniors have kicked into full-time training with the Open Water State Championships at Hazelwood Pondage a stern test of the swimmers’ fitness.
Forty TigerSharks made the trip to Churchill last Saturday to swim in the five-kilometre event before four of those members returned the following day to compete in the 10-kilometre race.
Matson Lawson and Josh Beaver finished first and second respectively in the 10km race while Dillon Warren finished one minute behind the pair.
Steph Demestichas finished first in her age group and finished fastest female overall.
Like most TigerSharks, Demestichas is used to indoor swimming so found racing on the Saturday a physical nuisance.
Constant bumps and loose elbows from nearby swimmers meant Demestichas finished second but the 16 year old changed strategy for the Sunday swim.
Sprinting the opening 500-metres, she was able to open up a healthy gap between her opponents which she held until the end.
Hiddlestone said all four racers would benefit greatly from the swim leading into peak season.
“Normally the kids are doing nothing on a Sunday so to swim an extra 10km will help their aerobic training and it will make the 1500 metres and 800 metres a hell of a lot easier,” he said.