A strong performance at nationals

Posted on 25 Apr 2017

Please note: this is an old article

It was published in April 2017, so the information may be out-of-date.

Carter Swift and Darcie Guthrie finished their Australian Age Swimming Championship campaigns with strong swims on Friday.

The Shepparton Swimming Club talents performed well against the best in the country, with Swift making his third final of the week in the 100m freestyle.

The star recorded a personal best of 51.39 in the heats to qualify fourth-fastest for the final, where he eventually finished fifth in a bunched lunge to the wall for minor placings.

It capped a strong meet for the 18-year-old, who also made finals in the 100m butterfly and 50m freestyle.

Guthrie, 14, has learned a few lessons in her first national carnival and will be back stronger and faster next year.

The rising star, who had never competed in a state level final, finished 47th overall in her age group in the 200m breaststroke on Friday.

Finley Swimming Club’s Sascha Jones had to wait all week for her chance in the Brisbane Aquatic Centre pool and certainly made the most of her opportunity.

The 13-year-old recorded strong swims of 1:07.9 and 1:07.98 in the heat and final of the 12-13-year 100m backstroke to finish 10th overall.

Earlier in the week, club captain Hayley Hogan increased her age group ranking from 49th to 27th in the 100m backstroke, her only event of the championship.

Attention now turns to the final meet of the season, the School Sport Victoria State Primary and Secondary Swimming Championships.

Eight Shepparton Swimming Club members will compete at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre tomorrow after qualifying through the Hume Regional carnivals.

Ollie Guthrie headlines the squad after breaking the 13 years age group school regional record for the 50m backstroke with a sizzling time of 34.6.

Other swimmers include Kayla McFarlane, Aaron Rudge, Ryley and Cooper Symes, Steph Moran, Nikea Grinter and Daniel Dunning, who all had to finish first in the regional events to qualify for tomorrow’s meet.

Article curtesy of the Shepparton News from Tuesday 25 April 2017. Written by Tyler Maher.