THREE Gunnedah swimmers smashed six individual pool records at Wee Waa last weekend, with the eight-years relay team eclipsing the club’s own pool record by 15.76 seconds.
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Darcy Hannaford continued his good form from the recent Scully Park carnival, claiming pool records in the 33m and 100m freestyle and backstroke.
The youngster dominated 10-years events, winning six of seven races with a close fourth in breaststroke in a personal best time.
Returning from illness, Chloe Sumpter was in good form, taking a record in the 13-years freestyle, stripping 6.91 seconds from the standard set by clubmate Maddie Coombs in 2016. Chloe also nailed the pool record in backstroke and finished the day with two gold and four silver medals, after a close battle with Tamworth’s Emily Deasey.
A pool record fell to Archie Waerea in the 13 years 33m butterfly where he faced strong competition. The rising young star went on to finish second in freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke with improved times.
Record breakers Edward Waerea, 7, and eight-year-olds Audrey Hannaford, Dana Campbell and Angus Hobson took the pool by storm in the relay. The rapidly emerging tadpoles also did well in individual events, with Edward winning four gold medals, clipping nine seconds from his best in breaststroke. He is rapidly closing the gap in the individual medley, finishing a fighting fourth in the 10-and-under event.
Audrey Hannaford, 8, spearheaded a trifecta for the Gunnedah club in freestyle, hitting the wall just ahead of twins Dana and Eliza Campbell. She also led another trifecta in backstroke touching just ahead of clubmates Eliza Campbell and Georgia Lyons. Audrey also picked up a bronze in fly, improving her entry time by 10 seconds.
The Campbell twins made their debut at Wee Waa with great success.
Dana won the 33m breaststroke and finished second in freestyle ahead of Eliza, who turned the tables in fly, winning the event from Dana and Audrey. Eliza finished third in freestyle and second in backstroke.
Angus Hobson improved his entry times dramatically to claim second place in backstroke and third place in fly and breaststroke, while older brother Charlie, 10, finished fourth in backstroke and was the anchor man for the second placed relay team.
Angus Waerea, 11, was also competitive, showing the opposition a clean pair of heels for gold in the medley, with second place in backstroke, breaststroke and fly and a bronze in the 100m freestyle.
The 10-years division proved a happy hunting ground for Savannah Lyons, who has improved her times rapidly over the season. The youngster dominated this age group and was rewarded with seven gold medals. Training mate Scout Newbery also had a good day, finishing third in the 10-years medley, fly and 100m freestyle. Scout was just edged out of medals in freestyle and backstroke in a competitive age group.
Jack McCulloch, 9, faced the starter for the first time and proved a surprise packet, winning gold medals in backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke, with second place freestyle.
The relays proved an exciting end to the day with the Gunnedah cheer squad pushing the teams on to victory – gold and a pool record for the eight years team (Angus Hobson, Audrey Hannaford, Edward Waerea, Dana Campbell), silver in the 10 years (Darcy Hannaford, Charlie Hobson, Savannah Lyons, Scout Newbery), and third place in the mixed open relay (Archie Waerea, Chloe Sumpter, Angus Waerea and Darcy Hannaford).
Training will continue over the Christmas vacation in preparation for the Tamworth City carnival on January 7, Kootingal-Moonbi on January 14 and Regional Country on January 27-28 at Port Macquarie.
