Seven Echuca-Moama swimmers will be hoping to make a splash when they take to the pool at the 2022 Swimming Victoria Country All Juniors Event this weekend.
Oscar Coombs, Anja Taylor, Kayla O’Grady, Emily McMillan, Hanna Taylor, Charlotte Wilson and Amelia O’Grady from the Echuca Swimming Club have all qualified for the country championships at MSAC in Melbourne, after strong performances at last month’s Maryborough Swimming Club annual swim meet in Bendigo.
The event also doubled as the Central Victoria All Junior Qualifying Meet, serving as a qualifier for the Victoria Country Championships, with all seven of ESC’s competitors qualifying.
ESC president Marita Elliot congratulated each of the swimmers on reaching the championships, saying it was a fantastic achievement.
“Vic country championships is a pretty big deal,” Elliot said.
“It’s not your average swim meet, it is the next level up.
“These kids have worked really hard to get there. They had to have qualifying times to achieve entry.
“It’s a great reflection of the hard work and the effort that not just the kids and the parents put in, but the coaching staff as well.
“It’s a great reflection of the commitment that the club has to developing swimmers and the fact that these kids are interested in developing themselves as well.”
Each of ESC’s swimmers achieved at least one personal best in Bendigo, with Coombs taking four seconds off his 50m breaststroke time and Taylor taking four seconds off her 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle times.
Coach Kynan Batey will be accompanying the swimmers to the 2022 Swimming Victoria Country All Juniors Event in Melbourne later in March.
See next Wednesday’s Riverine Herald for all the results.