A SQUAD of six Gunnedah swimmers raised the flag high at the first carnival for the summer season, winning six gold, five silver and six bronze medals at Inverell.
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Training was interrupted during the winter due to the indoor pool upgrade, however, every swimmer recorded improved times under the guidance of coach John Hickey.
Andre Steele (14) led the medal charge, winning the 100m backstroke, freestyle and butterfly as well as the 50m fly and freestyle and 200m individual medley.
The rising young star was just edged out of first place in the 50m and 100m breaststroke.
In her very first open carnival, little sister Tahnee (8) showed great promise, claiming silver medals in the 25m breaststroke and butterfly, while club mate Georgia Lyons (9) scored a personal victory slashing 13 seconds from her best time in breaststroke and five seconds from her entry time in freestyle.
Sixteen-year-old Maddie Coombs added three bronze and a silver to her trophy haul with a personal best in the 50m backstroke, while Brodie Coombs (12) registered four personal bests and won bronze medals in freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke with a close fourth in fly.
Promising youngster Savannah Lyons (11) displayed her enormous potential over four strokes with big improvements in her personal best times, and picked up silver in the 50m backstroke. She also finished a fighting fourth in the butterfly.
Training for the summer carnival circuit is in full swing, and with the opening date for the new pool fast approaching, swimmers of all ages are encouraged to come along and take advantage of professional coaching at all levels.
Upcoming carnivals include Narrabri, which will be held this Saturday and is also an area qualifying meet, Wee Waa and Kootingal Moonbi, with the Gunnedah summer carnival set down for February 2.
The Regional Country Championships will be held at Armidale on January 26-27 with the NSW Country Championships at SOPAC from February 22-14, 2019.