IT was all smiles at MSAC on Saturday as the 32 SGB swimmers aged 8-16 competed in the Country All Juniors 2025 Championships, competing in the heats after finishing in the top 8 for the Gippsland region a month ago.
Coaches Lorri and Sam were on hand to help their young chargers. For many of the younger swimmers, it was their first time on the big stage, seeing their names on the big screen and seeing their families in the stands.
“We are so proud of them, 50m off the blocks is such a big deal when you are 8.” said Lorri. “Some of them get so nervous but they give their all and have such fun. The older kids in their last few years are on hand to help the little ones, many of them remember their first times here and how overwhelming it was. It is reassuring for the little kids to have them around and know they once felt that way too.”
On Saturday the 8–11-year-olds swam in the morning, while the 12-16-year-olds swam in the afternoon. On Sunday 19 swimmers returned to participate in the finals and three came back as emergencies.
The event highlights the best of regional swimming, giving swimmers in rural Victoria areas a chance to race against others of their level and ability in a high-quality pool- something that many swimmers in regional areas don’t often get. It is encouraging for the swimmers to start young at MSAC so that when they come back in further years for other championships, they are familiar with and more comfortable and relaxed competing there.
The swimmers finish up at the April School Holidays, having a few weeks of well-deserved sleep-ins and enjoying the swim break before returning for the winter season starting in June.
8-year-olds: Eden Bennett, Eliana Gunn, Lathan Lucas, Lucy Pirouet, and Ryan Thornby
9-year-olds: Taj Kimmer, Ruby Pirouet, Mila Potter, and Mya Richer.
10-year-olds: Oliver Jarrett, Heidi Peters, and Abbie Saario.
11-year-olds: Ava Lucas, Mitchell Packer, Harper Perry, Josie Richer, and Madison Andreatta.
12-year-olds: Emma Barclay, Emily Croatto, Anna Mileto, Brooklyn Packer, and Jedda Tagell.
13-year-olds: Rex Brocklesby, and Georgia Perry.
14-year-olds: Rebecca Barclay, Isabel Croatto, Sienna Hunt, Tayah Matheson, and Finn Middleton.
16-year-olds: Molly Dettbarn, Joshua Hunt, and Zoe Paterson.
Finalists:
Eden Bennett: 4th Backstroke
Eliana Gunn: 3rd Backstroke, and 6th Freestyle
Lathan Lucas: 7th Backstroke
Brooklyn Packer: 8th Backstroke
Lucy Pirouet: 1st Butterfly, 5th Backstroke, 3rd Breaststroke, and 2nd Freestyle
Ruby Pirouet: 1st Butterfly, 4th Backstroke, 1st Breaststroke, and 3rd Freestyle
Oliver Jarrett: 1st Backstroke, and 1st Freestyle
Ava Lucas: 9th Butterfly
Josie Richer: 7th Butterfly, 7th Backstroke, and 8th Freestyle
Emily Croatto: 2nd Butterfly, and 2nd Backstroke
Jedda Tagell: 9th Breaststroke
Rex Brocklesby: 2nd Butterfly, and 3rd Freestyle,
Georgia Perry: 3rd Backstroke, and 3rd Breaststroke
Rebecca Barclay: 1st Freestyle, 3rd Backstroke, and 8th Butterfly
Isabel Croatto: 6th Butterfly, 8th Backstroke, 7th Breaststroke, and 4th Freestyle
Sienna Hunt: 5th Butterfly, and 7th Backstroke
Tayah Matheson: 3rd Breaststroke
Finn Middleton: 8th Butterfly, and 10th Breaststroke
Molly Dettbarn: 3rd Freestyle, 4th Breaststroke, and 8th Butterfly
