Young guns shine at the SA Short Course Swimming Championships
The competition was fierce, but a talented duo has emerged with top honours from the 13 years and under SA Short Course Swimming Championships. Read our wrap, then relive all the action in our exclusive replays of every session.
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A pair of budding superfish have stolen the show in the junior leg of the SA Short Course Swimming Championships.
More than 300 athletes from across the state hit the pool at the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre on the weekend, as the 13 and under event was live streamed by The Advertiser.
Most of the swimmers took on an exhausting program, including Henley and Grange’s Isabella Beaumont, who topped the female rankings with 84 points.
The 11-year-old talent held off Norwood’s Arabella Bahr (83) and Barossa’s Leni Newham (82), after excelling across her 10 events.
Isabella, who won the 10 and 11 years girls 100m IM, said she loved competing.
“It was so good to see some of the swimmers I hadn’t seen for awhile,’’ Isabella said.
“And the live stream was great as many of my family in Tasmania were able to watch the swimming.’’
Kent Town’s Matthew Brown had little time to rest between his 12 events, as he tallied 108 points to take home top honours in the male category.
Bryce Hammond (West Coast, 89) and Matthew Clifford (Marion, 80) also shone.
“My favourite event was the 50 free, because it was over so quickly,” said Matthew Brown, who has been with his club just six months.
“I really enjoyed the whole event, but I was very tired at the end.’’
Host club Marion showed its depth to lead the champion club award from Norwood and Kent Town following the 76 events.
An overall under-18 winner will be announced at the end of this week’s 14 years and over meet.
Swimming SA chief executive Michelle Doyle said the event was key preparation for the junior nationals, scheduled for the Gold Coast in April, pending COVID-19 restrictions.
“While there were no state records (on the weekend) there were still some pretty good swims,’’ Ms Doyle said.
“The first week of comps was a good stepping stone.
“This was their chance to win a few gold medals and set some times for the coming year.”
The short course titles have a strong history of success, with Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers and Paralympian superstar Matt Cowdrey among past participants.
The swimming action continues this weekend, when the 14 and over championships are also exclusively live streamed on advertiser.com.au from Friday-Sunday.
