By Marc McGowan
THE Casey Tiger Sharks recorded several notable performances at the Victorian Long Course Swimming Championships at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre last week.
Headlining the club’s efforts were the individual endeavours of 12-year-old Jemma Phillips, who snared a bronze medal in the 12-year-old girls’ 100-metre backstroke and 19-year-old Robert Carlson, who scored a bronze medal in the men’s open 1500-metre freestyle.
Tiger Sharks’ head coach Ben Hiddlestone was delighted with the unearthing of talent at the meet.
“The best result we had was by Jemma. She has come out of nowhere – a bit of a diamond in the rough,” he said. “Rob is a good one. He’s basically doing about four sessions a week and is focusing on triathlon. It was a great swim for him and it was a big PB (personal best).”
To top off Casey’s feats, their 12-year-old boys’ medley relay team captured a silver medal.
The team comprised Thomas Boatman, Tyrone Dobrunz, McKenzie Cunningham and Jacob Kennedy.
There were also strong achievements outside of the medallists.
Brad York, 17, attained his best result in open state competition in finishing sixth in the men’s open 400-metre freestyle and came ninth in the men’s open 50-metre backstroke.
Ten-year-old Matthew Charlesworth, fresh from dominating the club’s encouragement meet in October last year, stroked his way to a fourth placing in the 11-and-under boys’ backstroke and an eighth-placed position in the 11-and-under boys’ 200-metre individual medley.
Hiddlestone said Matthew was bottom age (and would still be eligible to swim in the 11-and-under category next year) and was the fastest 10-year-old in Victoria in his (backstroke) event.
“He was one of a few 10-year-olds that could qualify. He would have to be up for medalling at next year’s championships,” he said.
Rounding out the Tiger Sharks’ results were Phillips’ fifth in the 12-year-old girls’ 100-metre freestyle and sixth in the 12-year-old girls’ 200-metre freestyle and Alexandra Weston’s fourth placing behind Phillips in the 12-year-old girls’ 100-metre backstroke.
Last week’s competition centred around the open, swimmers with a disability, 12-year-old and 11-and-under classifications and the championships recommenced yesterday (Wednesday) with the 13 to 18-year-old age groups.
