Gunnedah's Rebecca McLean shows her butterfly technique during the 10 & U girls’ individual medley. 130113BSD26
KOOTINGAL Moonbi Swimming Club is making a splash in and out of the water.
On Sunday the club hosted it’s biggest ever carnival with entries topping 1000 and almost 200 swimmers contesting more than 50 events.
The host club itself had 44 swimmers compete and coaches Graham Johnstone and Greg Poetschka were extremely happy with the results with some outstanding swims on the day.
“It’s probably close to our biggest contingent,” Poetschka said.
That’s reflective of the club’s situation overall.
“Membership at the moment is the biggest we’ve had,” he said.
They’ve got around 70 club members at present.
It’s meant they’ve had to extend their training days.
“In previous years we’ve only trained three days.
“This year we’re training four,” Poetschka said.
Of those swimming on Sunday, probably 15 were first timers, he said.
“We’ve got quite a few in the club doing their first ever carnival.
“They’re doing really well,” he said.
Generally the swimmers did with over 160 personal best times set and six swimmers recording Country qualifying times.
One of the most popular events on the program was the Dash for Cash.
The six fastest boys and girls 10 & U, 11-13yrs and 14 & Over from the morning freestyle events qualified to compete for the cash.
The 10 & U boys was won by Werris Creek’s Liam Faulkner from William Burnett (Tamworth City) and Jackson Carr (Gunnedah), while Boggabri’s Beth Andren was the fastest 10 & U girl. She beat Mikaela Short (Tamworth City) and Darcy Goddard (Inverell).
Joshua Nash won one for the host club touching out Alex Farmer (Tamworth City) and Hamish Migheli (Inverell) in the 11-13yrs boys.
The girls was won by Werris Creek’s Jordana Wardrop ahead of Eden Kleinschafer (Gunnedah) and Monica Andren (Boggabri).
The 14 & Over boys honours went to Tamworth City’s Reubben Short with Joshua Barlin (Armidale) coming in second and Matthew Turner (Armidale) third.
Kootingal’s Emma Poetscka took out the girls from Tarryn Rizzi (Scully Park) and Holly Tearle (Armidale Alligators).
* Any new swimmers are more then welcome to come along and join our club. Any inquiries please phone coaches Graham Johnstone (0428 658 613)
or Greg Poetschka
(0429 784 002)