Benalla Swimming Club’s senior swimmers capped off an impressive short-course campaign with outstanding performances at the Victorian Age Country Championships in Traralgon recently, setting a string of personal bests, winning medals and securing State qualifying times.
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Eight Benalla swimmers represented the club at the championships on August 8 and 9, with members of the club’s senior Apex competition squad producing significant improvements across the two-day meet.
The championships provided an important opportunity for the swimmers to test themselves against some of Victoria’s strongest country competitors, and the Benalla team proved that a small regional club can make a significant impact.
Wolfe produces outstanding string of personal bests
Keziah Wolfe delivered one of the most consistent performances of the weekend in the 14-15 years girls’ competition, recording major improvements across her program.
Wolfe lowered her previous best by an impressive 6.8 seconds in the 100m butterfly and 6.17 seconds in her 200m backstroke performances. She also recorded improvements in the 100m individual medley, 100m freestyle and 100m breaststroke.
Her performances saw her finish inside the top 10 on three occasions and within the top 20 in every race she contested, an outstanding result across a demanding program.
Fellow 14-15 years swimmer Matilda Jones contested four individual events - the 100m individual medley, 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle and 100m breaststroke.
Jones produced a 2.38-second personal best in the breaststroke in what was a strong return to competition following a recent overseas holiday.
Osborne brothers contribute in individual and relay events
Nicholas Osborne had a busy championship in the 12-13 years boys’ competition, completing four individual swims as well as representing Benalla in both the individual medley and freestyle relays.
Osborne contested the 100m freestyle, 100m individual medley, 100m breaststroke and 200m freestyle, swimming either small personal bests or close to his qualifying times.
His continued improvement and positive attitude were a feature of the weekend, with the young swimmer taking the challenges of championship competition in his stride.
Brother Patrick Osborne joined Nicholas in the relay competition, swimming freestyle and producing a substantial personal best in his relay split - another encouraging indication of his developing capabilities.
McKenzie shines in breaststroke
Sophie McKenzie produced another consistent championship, saving one of her biggest improvements for her final race.
Competing in the 12-13 years girls’ 200m freestyle, McKenzie took a remarkable 6.31 seconds from her previous best. She also recorded a 0.77-second improvement in the 100m freestyle and swam close to her qualifying time in the individual medley.
It was in breaststroke, however, that McKenzie particularly demonstrated her strength. She finished seventh in the 200m breaststroke and 11th in the 100m breaststroke, while also contributing the opening leg of Benalla’s freestyle relay.
Olivia Kelly also enjoyed a memorable weekend at her first Victorian Country Championships.
Kelly was a valuable member of Benalla’s 12-13 years individual medley relay team and produced a personal best during her backstroke leg. Her performance was also fast enough to achieve a Victorian Sprint qualifying time, making her first appearance at the championships particularly significant.
Staggard flies to bronze and a State time
There was plenty to celebrate for 14-15 years swimmer Emily Staggard, who produced an outstanding meet in her specialist butterfly events.
Known around the club as “Kevin”, Staggard slashed 3.59 seconds from her previous best in the 100m butterfly and, importantly, achieved a State qualifying time.
She then stepped up to the demanding 200m butterfly and was rewarded with a bronze medal in her age group.
Staggard rounded out her successful championship with the 100m freestyle, completing an impressive program and continuing her strong progression through the short-course season.
De Fazio claims silver, bronze and State qualifying times
Tilly De Fazio also enjoyed an exceptional championship, completing seven swims across the two days and contributing strongly in both individual and relay events.
De Fazio took on the butterfly leg of Benalla’s individual medley relay before returning in the afternoon to swim the final freestyle stage in this relay.
Individually, she produced a 2.14-second personal best in the 100m freestyle, finishing second overall to claim the silver medal.
She followed that performance with another podium finish in the 200m freestyle, taking 2.61 seconds from her previous best and winning bronze.
One of her strongest performances came in the individual medley. After being seeded 24th, De Fazio smashed her heat and finished in overall fourth place, taking a huge 6.11 seconds from her previous best and recording a State qualifying time.
She also placed 12th in the 100m butterfly with another State qualifying time and finished 16th in the 100m backstroke after lowering her previous best by 2.32 seconds.
Small club, big results
While the medals, qualifying times and personal bests provided plenty to celebrate, the weekend was also a demonstration of the strong team culture developing at Benalla Swimming Club.
The Country Championships represented the culmination of months of work throughout the short-course season for the club’s Apex competition swimmers and their coaching team.
Coach Gary was supported throughout the weekend by the swimmers’ families and parents, with the Benalla contingent making its presence felt from poolside.
The support between swimmers was equally important, with teammates encouraging one another through races, celebrating improvements and contributing to the relay events.
For a small regional swimming club, the results demonstrate the strength of Benalla’s developing competition program and the combined work of the swimmers, families and the club’s four coaches.
The club will now turn its attention to an even bigger challenge.
Several of the Benalla swimmers who competed at Traralgon have qualified to compete at the Victorian State Age Short Course Championships this weekend from August 28 to 30, where they will again have the opportunity to test themselves against leading age-group swimmers from across Victoria.
After an outstanding Country Championships campaign, the Benalla team will head to the State Championships carrying valuable racing experience, new personal bests and plenty of confidence.
For Benalla Swimming Club, the Country Championships showed that success is not simply measured by the size of a club.
With medals, State qualifying performances, significant personal bests and a strong team supporting one another, Benalla’s swimmers continue to prove that their small country club can punch well above its weight.