QUALIFYING for the NSW Country Swimming championships is quite a feat and with 77 clubs represented scoring a top 10 finish or even a medal is hard to come by.
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Three Gunnedah swimmers raised the flag at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre to face the cream of country swimmers from outside the Sydney metropolitan area.
Fifteen-year-old Andre Steele continued his good form and looks well placed for next year after competing in four events in the 15-16 years division and the open 50m fly, where he was the second fastest swimmer in his age group.
The teen registered a personal best time of 27.38 seconds for the event, clipping a whole second from his best.
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Competing in the 15-16 years 50m freestyle,100m fly and backstroke, the rising young star turned in impressive swims in every event with improved times, which augers well for upcoming diocesan swimming and NSW Combined Catholic Colleges events.
Coach John Hickey was especially pleased with his charge's 2.88 seconds improvement in the 100m butterfly.
Still getting used to competition at this higher level is 13-year-old Amelia Lush, who almost cracked the 30 second barrier for 50m freestyle.
Competing in the combined 13-14 years event, the teenager nailed a personal best time of 30.35 seconds and went on to finish just outside her best in the 100m event, stopping the clock at 1:08.90.
Seventeen-year-old Maddison Coombs has been juggling Year 12 studies with training this year and did well to qualify for the 17 and over 50m and 100m freestyle and open 50m butterfly, finishing not far off her entry times at the championships.
Training continues for the upcoming CHS championships in Sydney.
