FOURTEEN clubs were represented at the recent Swimming Gunnedah short-course carnival held at the Eric Arnold Indoor Pool.
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Competitors travelled from as far away as Armidale, Coonamble and Singleton to contest the annual meet, with many on a quest for NSW Country qualifying times.
Gunnedah's Andre Steele was in fine form, winning a total of nine gold medals from nine events and registering impressive improved times along the way. An all-rounder in the pool, the teenager slashed 12 seconds from his entry time in the 200m individual medley.
Brooke Rennick (14) has been steadily rising through the rankings and her commitment to training was rewarded with first place and personal best times in the 50m and 100m backstroke, and bronze medals in the 50m and 100m freestyle.
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Younger brother Jedd contested the 13 years events, finishing second in 100m freestyle and the 50m breaststroke and butterfly with improved times. He rounded off his medal haul with third place in the 100m fly and 200m freestyle, and improved his entry time by four seconds in the 100m breaststroke where he finished a close fourth.
Maddie Coombs won medals of every colour at the carnival, nailing first place in the 16 and over 50m freestyle and fly, with second place in the 100m freestyle and third in 50m and 100m backstroke.
Eight-year-old Alexis Whitton turned in a top performance to grab gold in backstroke and silver in freestyle, fly and breaststroke, while Cooper Whitton (9) swam strongly into fourth place in the 100m freestyle.
A personal best time and first place went to 11-year-old Savannah Lyons in the 50m backstroke. The talented youngster also picked up a bronze in the 50m breaststroke after nailing another personal best.
Younger sisters Olivia (7) and Georgia (9) added to the family medal tally, with Georgia winning a silver in backstroke and a bronze in fly. A personal victory also came Georgia's way with a 4.2 second improvement in freestyle, where she just was just edged out of medal contention. Olivia competed in the 25m events, picking up gold in freestyle and backstroke, with a close fourth in butterfly.
The 12-years events proved a happy hunting ground for Brodie Coombs, who finished the day with silver medals in the 50m fly and freestyle, bronze in the 50m and 100m breaststroke and a valiant effort for fourth place in the 100m freestyle.
Clubmate Benjamin Neale powered into third place in freestyle, while nine-year-old Zack Akinyemi finished in the top 10 in three events, and Baxter Knapman (9), swam well in freestyle and breaststroke.
Gunnedah coach John Hickey is preparing qualified swimmers for the NSW Country short-course championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre from July 5-7.
