2010 Australian Open SC Chanmpionships
Posted: 2010-07-19 18:55:45
Updated: 2010-07-19 18:59:29
Hot on the heels of our best ever Metros (8th in Sydney, 3rd MetSEA, 1st St George Sutherland Shire) we now turn our attention to the other end of the swimming spectrum - Open Nationals in Brisbane!
5 NCAQ swimmers qualified to swim at these championships - Andrew Kennedy and Matt Spence have now been joined by rookies Elise Newman, John Woods and 14 yr old Jake Baggaley! On Thursday they will be joined by Tim who just wanted to come for the fun and support his friends.
To be sending a team of 5 swimmers - up from 2 last yr in Hobart - is a great indication of the quality of the training program at NCSWIM. We have a great team of kids, parents and coach jen up there for the week. Thank you to Terry and our home coaches and parents for ensuring that the NCSWIM program does not miss a beat while Jen is away.
Day 1 - Andrew and Jake swim 2nd best times ever in the 100 Breast and Andrew also in the 200 Free. Elise goes under he 36 in her Breast for the 3rd time.
Day 2 - Andrew makes his first Australian Open Final in the 400 IM and swims his 2nd fastest time ever. Andrew also swims a 50m Free PB. Tim arrives in Brisbane for back up vocals.
Day 3 - Andrew makes the 200IM B final, John and Jake swim side by side for 200m of Breaststroke with Jake doing his 2nd best time ever and Johnny, whilst registering a PB on the board, found himself DQ'd for an uneven touch!!!!!!! Ouch!
Day 4 - Matt arrives from the snow and swims some decent times in the 100 Free and IM. Andrew's 100IM was his 2nd best ever but he then went on to swim a 50m Breast PB.
Day 5 - Matt swims a PB in his 200 Back and Andrew should have but didn't - long week :) Once the swimming was done we spent the last aftenoon letting the kids scale a rope mountain - so much fun letting them play even at that age. Even Jen went to the top. The last evening was spent at the finals. It was great to see other local swimmers in action on the night and to be there for Kenny To's big 100m IM win and to support the SLCA boys in their medley relay.
Summary - Again, this has been our best Open SC Nationals. 5 swimmers, 1 final and 1 B final and it will only get better for our small club as our swimmers get used to the big stage. It was also a great social with everyone staying together and working as a team both in and out of the pool. Thanks to coach Jen for taking care of the swimmers in Brisbane and to Terry, Neil, Carol, Beth, Karen and Leigh for making sure that the home program was covered.
