THE long drive to Mildura did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the South Gippsland Bass swimmers, with 74 swimmers and their families making the trip to compete in the 2025 Victorian Country Championships.
The team, one of the largest in the club’s history, held their own in the three-day event, racing against the best of rural Victoria.
The club once again finished third for the third year in a row, causing great excitement among the swimmers. The team went in day three leading third place by 40 points but pride themselves on being day three specialists and ended up extending the margin to 157. SGB were one of three Gippsland Clubs to finish in the top 10.
The excitement continued during presentations, as SGB swimmer Archie Smyth received the Rod Godfrey award for the highest aggregate score for a 13 and under Victorian swimmer.
Archie won four golds in all strokes for the 100 metre events for his age and was second in the IM. He also medalled in the relays.
Australian swimmer Bowen Gough, watching on day one, was amazed at the number of SGB swimmers.
“I remember when we would come to these events with three or four swimmers and now look how many of you there are.”
The swimmers raced heats in the morning, returning to compete in the evening’s finals and relays, cheered loudly from the stands and sidelines by the rest of the club. There was great excitement on day one as the team started off the final’s session winning the first two gold medals in close races.
Swimming outside in the scorching midday sun was a challenge for the swimmers, who are used to training indoors, with temperatures reaching 40C. However, they didn’t let it deter them and put in superb efforts, many still managing to get some PBs and national qualifying times.
The team’s relays highlighted the depth of swimming within the club, with most A and B teams finishing in the top eight, bringing home points for the club. With swimmers only allowed to compete in four relays each, it showed the swimmers level of skill of at the club, as almost every swimmer was in a relay. Those who were emergencies for the relays were still there to support their teammates.
Coach Sam was impressed with the swimmers.
“They have all been inspirational in their own way, lifting at times when they needed to. I love watching the progression from their early years in the junior squads to now.”
Coach Dylan was thrilled with the efforts.
“On day two our B team relays worked so hard to get us points and they earned the team 34 points in their effort. We had some people win medals that never thought they would in relays. Byron, one of multi class swimmers is so proud of his and has been proudly showing it off. There have been so many people give their all, in such hard conditions with the heat and keep on trying, bouncing back after a swim that hasn’t gone their way to give it everything in the next event.”
Coach Caiden was very happy with everyone’s efforts.
“There have been many inspirational swims. I’ve only had to do one race and that was hard, so to watch everyone do several events and back it up with these great results is really pleasing.”
Coach Lorri loved seeing her multi class swimmers do so well.
“This is the first time for them to have so many events, including heats and finals and to see them do so well is wonderful. Their efforts in the relays and individual events have been spot on and they have had a great time. This is one of my favourite meets of the year and despite the heat I have had a great time.”
The squad was joined by many of their families, making the most of the trip and enjoying the local sights. The event, supported by Mildura Council, is seen as more than a swimming event, drawing tourist dollars for the region.
The swimmers have a short break before preparing for several big competitions in the next few weeks.
FULL RESULTS:
The team: The team: Madison Andreatta, Emma Barclay, Rebecca Barclay, Max Brocklesby, Rex Brocklesby, Penny Carruthers, Nyah Chapman, Tully Chapman, Asha Chalmers, Gemma Cook, Claudia Croatto, Emily Croatto, Isabel Croatto, Tomei Dal Pozzo, Molly Dettbarn, Byron Doran, Andi Fisher, Maggie Fisher, Billy Fisher, Cormac Flynn, Daisy Giliam-Rodda, Caidan Gill, Lachie Grimes, Cayden Gunn, Josh Hunt, Sienna Hunt, Holly Hurst, Levi Jarrett, Oliver Jarrett, Kiarnah Kranen, Millie Kyle, Amalia Lofgren, Ava Lucas, Hannah Lucas, Kai Lumsden, Mostyn Lumsden, Ethan Lynch, Isabella Lynch, Rahni Matheson, Sienna Matheson, Tayah Matheson, Neka Mckenzie, Sophie Mckenzie, Archer McRae, Harper Mcrae, Lacey McRae Ruby McRae, Finn Middleton, Anna Mileto, Dylan Muir, Huge Munro, Bayley Nicholas, Trinity O'Keefe, Brooklyn Packer, Mitchell Packer, Lachlan Paterson, Zoe Paterson, Maddison Pocklington, Cooper Quaife, Josie Richer, Miah Roberts, Georgia Rump, Jemma Rump, Ned Sheahan, Zach Sherar, Hannah Simmons, Will Simmons, Darby Smyth, Archie Smyth, Aidan Smyth, Lara Smyth, Tristan Stockdale, Jarrah Tagell, Jedda Tagell and Mason Wiggins.
Results
Rebecca Barclay 14: 100m Freestyle 7th
Max Brocklesby 15: Open 400m Freestyle 7th, Open 800m Freestyle 3rd, 100 Freestyle 6th
Rex Brocklesby, 13: 100m Freestyle 5th, 10m0 Backstroke 2nd, 100m Butterfly 6th
Asha Chalmers,16: Open 200m Butterfly 6th
Nyah Chapman, 13: 100m Butterfly 5th
Tully Chapman, 11: 50m Butterfly 7th
Gemma Cook, 13: 3rd 50m Butterfly, 6th 100m Freestyle, 3rd 100m Backstroke, 6th 50m Backstroke, 3rd 50m Breaststroke, 3rd 200m Freestyle, 4th 200m IM, 3rd 50m Freestyle
Claudia Croatto, 15: Open 200m Breaststroke 1st, 100m Breaststroke 4th, 200m IM 3rd
Emily Croatto, 12: 200m IM 5th, 100m Freestyle 3rd, 100m Breaststroke 1st, 100m Butterfly 8th, 100m Backstroke 4th
Tomei Dal Pozzo, Open: 50m Butterfly 7th, 200m IM 8th
Byron Doran, Open: 8th 50m Backstroke, 8th 50m Freestyle
Maggie Fisher, 13: 100m Freestyle 3rd, 100m Backstroke 4th
Billy Fisher, 15: 100m Breaststroke 3rd, 200m IM 6th, 100m Freestyle 8th
Cormac Flynn, 15: 100m Breaststroke 2nd
Caidan Gill, Open: 50m Freestyle 1st
Sienna Hunt, 14: Open 200m Butterfly 4th
Levi Jarrett, 12: 2nd 50m Backstroke, 3rd 50m Breaststroke, 3rd 100m Freestyle, 2nd 100m backstroke, 3rd 50m Backstroke, 2nd 100m Breaststroke
Oliver Jarrett, 11: 5th 50m Backstroke
Mostyn Lumsden, 17: 100m Butterfly 3rd, Open 200m Butterfly 5th, Open 200m Freestyle 5th,
Ethan Lynch, 11: 50m Breaststroke 5th
Isabella Lynch, 13: 100m Breaststroke 5th
Hannah Lucas, 13: 100m Backstroke 8th
Rahni Matheson, 16: 100m Breaststroke 1st, 100m Freestyle 3rd, 5th 100m Backstroke, 200m IM 4th, Open 100m Breaststroke 1st
Sophie Mckenzie, Open: 50m Breaststroke 1st
Dylan Muir, Open: 50m Butterfly 8th, 50m Backstroke 5th, 50m Freestyle 8th, 200m IM 7th
Huge Munro, 16: 200m IM 8th
Trinity O'Keefe, Open: 50m Breaststroke 3rd, 200m IM 7th
Josie Richer, 11: 50m Backstroke 8th, 50m Breaststroke 3rd
Miah Roberts, 15: 100m Backstroke 4th, 200m Backstroke 4th, 200m IM 5th, 400m IM 4th, Open 100m Backstroke 2nd
Jemma Rump, 13: 100m Freestyle 5th
Zachary Sherar, 16: 100m Breaststroke 8th, Open 100m Freestyle 6th, 200m IM 7th, Zac 100m Freestyle 5th, 800m Freestyle 6th, Open 400m Freestyle 8th
Will Simmons, 15: 100m Backstroke 2nd, 100m Freestyle 1st
Archie Smyth, 12: 200m IM 2nd, 100m Freestyle 1st, 100m Butterfly 1st, 100m Breaststroke 1st, 100m Backstroke 1st
Jarrah Tagell 15: 100m Breaststroke 7th
Relays
Para-able bodied – Freestyle, A team 1st, B team 10th. Medley, A team- 8th, B team 3rd
12 and Under Girls – Freestyle, A team 5th, B team 8th. Medley, A team 2nd, B team 8th
12 and Under Boys – Freestyle, A team 6th, B team 11th. Medley, A team 3rd, B team 11th
14 and Under Girls – Freestyle, A team 3rd, B team 7th. Medley, A team 1st, B team 4th
14 and Under Boys – Freestyle, A team 6th, B team 17th. Medley, A team 5th, B team 16th
16 and Under Girls – Medley, A team 2nd, B team 6th. Freestyle, A team 1st, B team 9th
16 and Under Boys – Medley, A team 2nd, B team 7th. Freestyle, A team 3rd, B team 12th
17 and Over Girls – Medley, 5th. Freestyle, 5th
17 and Over Boys – Medley, 5th. Freestyle, 4th
Women 4 x 100 – Medley, 4th. Freestyle, A team 5th, B team 8th
Mens 4 x 100 – Medley, 6th. Freestyle, A team 3rd, B team 7th
Mixed 4 x 50 – Medley, A team 2nd, B team 8th. Freestyle 1st