Medal haul farewells pool

Casey TigerSharks Chris Daniells, Andrew Cooper, Zak Benton and Tara Kenny enjoyed the club’s encouragement meet at Cranbourne Indoor Pool on Sunday. Picture courtesy Liisa Cunningham

By Marc McGowan
THE Casey TigerSharks farewelled Cranbourne Indoor Pool with a magnificent showing at their Novice Prize Meet on Sunday.
The club’s swimmers will continue to train there until the new $37 million Casey Recreation and Aquatic Centre (RACE) opens in mid-June.
The TigerSharks won 97 medals at the competition, including 37 gold, 33 silver and 27 bronze.
Eight-year-olds Talia Banh and Matthew Glover, nine-year-olds Jake Duggan and Adrianna Grech, 10-year-old Matthew Shaw, 11-year-old Taylor Lindsey, 12-year-old Bridget Bicsak, 13-year-old Madison Tatt and Andrew Butler and 15-year-old Patrick West won multiple gold medals.
Casey head coach Ben Hiddlestone said it was a bitter-sweet day for the club.
“This was our club’s historic last-ever swim meet at the old Cranbourne pool,” he said.
“It’s a little bit sad, but we’re stoked about this new facility.”
Hiddlestone also praised his impressive junior brigade.
“There’s a really strong bunch of four guys – Taylor Lindsey, Jake Duggan, Jake Templar and Matthew Shaw – and then there’s another group that’s starting to come through, like Matthew Glover, Talia Banh and Adrianna Grech,” he said.
“If they love what they’re doing and they’re swimming fast times then they’re more likely to hang around.”
– Marc McGowan