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Maleny wins at Australian Swimming Championships |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 14 December 2006 |
Maleny swimmers brought home first and second trophies in the Telstra
Australian Swimming Championships Schools Relay Challenge at Chandler
Aquatic Centre last week.
Maleny High School, in conjunction
with the Maleny Swimming Club, took two teams to compete in the 13
years and over, 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay Challenge.
The boys’ team of
Patrick Campbell, Ambrose Molinaro, Marlo Molinaro, and Jackson Smeeton
took out first place, whilst the girls’ team of Maddie Brymner, Toni
Meneely, Karrin Ryan, and Natalie Weyman came second.
The River
School team of Mairead Devlin, Maggie-Bea Crandley, Essa O’Connor and
Jess Bright also participated in the nine to 12 years schools relay and
all swam personal best times.
The event brought Australia’s
‘Gods of Water’ to Chandler to compete for a position on the Australian
Team to take on the world next year in Melbourne. Students witnessed
sensational swims by Grant Hackett, Liesel Jones, Jess Schipper, Matt
Welsh and Michael Klim.
Once the Australia’s swim stars had
finished their heats, it was time for Maleny’s swimmers to experience
the same race conditions. Maleny Swim Coach, Antara May was at the
event and supported the local swimmers through every nail-biting
moment. “Their journey began in the marshalling room,” Antara said
“Where they nervously waited to be escorted onto the pool deck, while
their names were announced to an excited crowd.”
“Watching
Australia’s elite swimmers compete was thrilling,” Antara said “But
pre-race tension for the Maleny group reached an all-time high when our
swimmers took to the starting blocks. The atmosphere on pool deck was
electric! Its not surprising that most of our swimmers swam personal
best times.”
Official winning times appeared on the electronic
scoreboard next to the name - Maleny. The relay teams were presented
with their first and second place trophies on the winners’ dais by the
coach of the Australian team.
Nineteen other school students
accompanied the teams to cheer them on. Afterwards everyone headed for
the indoor waterslide for some fun. Celebrations continued after the
teams returned home with a party at the Maleny Swimming Pool.
“These
swimmers have trained enthusiastically this season,” Antara said “And
the whole experience was an incredible boost to Maleny’s team spirit.
T his will be one day they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 14 December 2006 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
