The 2019 SunSmart WA State Age Long Course Swimming Championships are underway at HBF Stadium! Tonight saw the first of four days of competition and what a cracking preview spectators were treated to. With 267 swimmers from 35 clubs, the best age group swimmers from across the state were in action.
Some of this evenings highlights include;
Girl’s 16 year olds 200m Freestyle –
The first event of the 2019 Championships was an absolute cracker as Samantha MacFarlane (Breakers, c: Harry Clark) swam an almost perfect 200m Freestyle. MacFarlane who predominately features as a distance specialist sat right next to Caitlyn Ribbons (UWA-West Coast, c: Michael Shaw) until the last lap before storming home to take Gold in a time of 2:04.53.
Boy’s 17 year olds 200m Freestyle –
The eldest competitors in this year’s championships showed their expertise and class in the Boy’s 17 year-olds 200m Freestyle. As expected Hugh Moran (UWA-West Coast, c: Michael Shaw) led the field out very quickly turning through the 100m mark in 55.95. However, Moran didn’t have it all his own way as Kyle Lee (Bunbury, c: Jason Evans) left nothing in the tank through the last 50m, just missing Gold by 0.31.
Girl’s 14 year olds 100m Backstroke –
The Girl’s 14 year-olds 100m Backstroke was a fantastic race between Charlotte Erickson (Arena, c: Simon Redmond) and Iona Anderson (Breakers, c: Harry Clark). Anderson was out very fast, maximising her start and stellar under-water work before Erickson closed the lead. Anderson yet again tried to pull away on the turn, however Erickson was able to yet again utilise her distance background to close the lead and take Gold in a time on 1:04.74.
Boy’s 16 year-olds 100m Backstroke –
As expected the National Champion and Junior Dolphins Team Member, Joshua Edwards-Smith was too strong for the field in the Boy’s 16 year-old 100m Backstroke. Edwards-Smith who is fresh off a successful campaign at the McDonald’s Queensland State Championships stormed home to win in a time of 56.86. Ryan Lummis (Arena, c: Simon Redmond) and Daniel Brown (Arena, c: Simon Redmond) claimed second and third respectively.
Girl’s 13 – 16 year olds 4x200m Freestyle Relay –
The Girl’s 13 – 16 year olds 4x200m Freestyle Relay was the highlight of the evenings proceeding as Breakers and UWA-West Coast went head to head. Breakers were out to a very fast start thanks to Elyse Weston and Samantha MacFarlane. UWA-West Coast fought hard through the third leg of Ruby Knott however, Breakers’ Rosie Wilson and Bianca Macfarlane held strong to take out the Gold in 8:36.31.
After a night full of incredible swimming, we can’t wait to see what the coming days have in store as we get ready to crown many more State Titles.
Once again, we would like to thank the generosity of the Swimming WA Officials and volunteers who give up their time to ensure the success of Championships meets such as this.
Finals kick off tomorrow evening at 6 pm, tickets available at the door or stay tuned via the Swimming WA Facebook.
