Back from left: Casey Tiger Sharks Taylor Lindsey, Fletcher Cunningham, Jake Templar, David Glover and Bridget Bicsak, and front, Elise Corbett, Rebecca Kuhlmann, Jake Duggan, Matthew Glover and Matthew Shaw have all qualified for the 7-to-10 Metro Finals. By Marc McGowan
FIFTEEN Casey Tiger Sharks advanced from the 7-to-10 Metro South Elimination Heats at Haileybury College in Keysborough on Sunday.
Only swimmers between the ages of seven and 10 were eligible for the meet, and top-10 finishers qualified for the 7-to-10 Metro Finals at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on 18 November.
Thirteen of the Tiger Sharks who qualified will compete in multiple events, with Bridget Bicsak, Arnon and Benjamin Lodder, Taylor Lindsey – younger brother of national freestyle finalist Trent – Elise Corbett, Adrianna Grech and Jake Duggan leading the way with four each.
Casey head coach Ben Hiddlestone, who has made the club a state and national force since joining the Tiger Sharks in December 2004, was pleased with the performances of his athletes.
“It’s a good way to judge how you’re going versus the rest of Victoria,” he said.
“I don’t want to sell it as (the seven-to-10-year-olds state championships), but it’s the only competition the good kids (between the age of) seven and 10 have.
“I didn’t really have any expectations other than for them to get in and race fast and have some fun.”
Seven-year-old rising star Duggan was predictably dominant in his age group, but Hiddlestone believes 10-year-old Lindsey and eight-year-old Rebecca Kuhlmann are others to watch.
“Rebecca has only just started swimming with us, but looks like she’ll develop into a great breaststroker,” Hiddlestone said.
“Taylor trains well, leads his lane … and if he finishes as half the swimmer Trent is he’ll have a lot of success.
“A lot more kids qualified this year, which shows we have more depth in the junior ranks.
“We have more kids nine years and under than the club has ever had.”
In other news at Casey, teenage sensations Craig Watson, Trent Lindsey and Jemma Phillips represented Victoria against Queensland in the Duel in the Pool at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on Sunday.
While Queensland won the day, Watson was victorious in the 14-year-old 100-metre backstroke and Lindsey finished second in the 15-year-old 200m freestyle.
