ST Edward's national silver medallist Mikaela Short was in record-breaking form at last week’s Armidale Diocesan carnival at Scully Park.
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The 11-year old was one of the stars of the carnival, breaking three records and winning the 11years girls’ age championship.
She set a new benchmark in the 50m freestyle of 31.46 secs, bettering the old mark of 33.29, took more than two seconds off the 50m backstroke record with a swim of 37.45secs, and touched in 34.38secs to shave over three seconds off the existing mark in the 50m butterfly – the event she won silver in at last year’s nationals.
All three records had stood since 2005.
Seven records were broken all up.
St Mary’s Armidale Emma Gray posted a new mark in the 9yrs girls’ 50m freestyle of 38.45secs, while St Francis Xaviers Narrabri’s Sophie Hedley lowered the 12/13yrs girls’ 50m backstroke record to 41.57secs.
Also in the 12/13yrs girls’ St Xaviers Gunnedah’s Grace McLean broke the 50m breaststroke record clocking 41.57secs.
The St Xaviers Gunnedah’s 8-10yrs girls’ relay team were the other record-breakers for the day.
Their time of 2.44.99mins saw them eclipse the time of the school’s relay team from last year.
The school had a good day with Rebecca McLean the top performer in the junior girls from school-mate Chloe Sumpter.
Beth Andren was also runner-up to Short in the 11yrs girls, and Oscar Brady the junior boys’ runner-up with St Philomena’s Moree’s Henry Ledingham.
St Mary’s Armidale’s Liam Stuart was the champion.
St Nicholas’ Tamworth did the double in the 11yrs boys’ with Will Burnett topping the points ahead of Nathan Summers.
Hedley was also the senior girls’ champion to go with her record.
St Nicholas’ Tamworth’s Eloise Turner was the runner-up.
The senior boys’ champion was St Joseph’s Glen Innes’ Nick Cave from St Edward’s Jack Davis.
Three hundred and eighty swimmers from 21 schools competed at the carnival with the top thee qualifying for the Polding Championships in Sydney later in the month.