Swimmers up to challenge

SWIMMING: Broome Barracudas Swimming Club youngsters recently returned home with dozens of medals after competing in a range of elite State competitions.

The young competitors spent their Christmas holidays racing at Challenge Stadium in Perth and the Swimming WA Invitational, achieving outstanding results.

On Friday, January 4, three young swimmers Ben Collins, 9, Riley Waters, 10, and 11-year-old Taj Piaggi swam at the Swimming WA Invitational, a competition which gives new swimmers a chance to record official times by competing against participants from all over the State.

The boys entered nine events between them, recorded personal best times in every event and brought home five medals with plenty of enthusiasm.

The boys were joined by 12 more Broome swimmers on January 5-6 for the Swimming WA Country Championships where 35 country clubs competed in a great atmosphere at Challenge Stadium.

The Broome swimmers entered 114 events and achieved 95 PBs – an outstanding result for swimmers who train in a short course pool, many of whom have had limited competition experience. The swimmers won more than 50 medals, with Shantel Miskin-Ripia, 11, Belinda Cole, 12, Fraser Jeffery, 14, Joe Handscombe, 15, Talara-Jade Dixon, 16, and Zac Incerti, (16) all winning gold medals and medalling in six or more events.

Nine-year-old Ben Collins, Conor Stone, 12, and Will Pittick, 12, picked up bronze medals.

The 11-13 year old girls were also well represented, with Lexi O’Brien, 11, Rebecca Stone, 11, Mollie Bayliss, 11, and Tessa Davies, 13, swimming very strongly and achieving PBs in nearly every swim.

Club coach and president Sandra Jeffery said all the kids trained hard for these events and swam exceptionally well.

“They should all be very proud of their results.”

Three of the Broome swimmers will continue to train over the school holidays before returning to Perth on January 21 for the Swimming WA State Open and Age Championships at Challenge Stadium.

The group will be in Perth from January 21 to 26. This is a long course event and LC qualifying times are needed for entry.