Local Sports Star nominees Riverstone Dolphins reel in huge haul of medals at Youth Clubs State Championships

IT’S BEEN another bumper crop of medals at the RSL Youth Clubs State Championships for the high achieving swimmers from Riverstone’s Dolphins squad, despite training only six months of the year.

Riverstone Dolphins swept the board at the 2017 RSL Youth Clubs State Championships.

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IT’S BEEN another bumper crop of medals at the RSL Youth Clubs State Championships for the high achieving swimmers from Riverstone’s Dolphins squad, despite training only six months of the year.

The Riverstone Dolphins cleaned up the pool at Wyong with 22 gold, 10 silvers and 23 bronze medals to continue their success at this annual event which attracts the cream of youth talent across the state.

This week’s team spirit nominees for the Local Sports Stars Award are one of the largest clubs in the Blacktown area but unlike other clubs, can only access their pool for half the year, making their achievements all the more remarkable.

Riverstone Dolphins’s multiple medal winner and chief marshall Stephanie Kegg, who received the inaugural Margaret Mills Trophy from former councillor Ron Alder

“Our performance has been as good as in the past and this year we had more youngsters,” Riverstone Dolphins Swimming Club president Michael Tuohy said.

“The youngsters will benefit from the experience.”

Aston Barton, 14, led the way with golds in the 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke and silvers in the 4x50m freestyle relay and 4x50m medley relay.

Other impressive swimmers included Stephanie Kegg, 16, (50m backstroke and breaststroke bronze and 2 relay golds), Nicholas Galea, 13, (50m breaststroke silver and 2 relay golds), Harrison Nothdurft, 9, (50m freestyle bronze and 2 relay golds), Nicholas Fischer, 10, 50m breaststroke bronze, gold and silver in relays, Bonnie Boswell, 13, 50m bronze freestyle and gold and silver in relays, Declan Thompson, 13, 50m butterfly bronze and 2 relay golds; Bailey Leddicoat, 15, 50m backstroke bronze and 2 relay bronze and Joel Norton, 16, 50m breaststroke bronze and two relay silvers.

Riverstone Dolphins Aston Barton who won gold in the 50m freestyle and 50m Breaststroke and two relay golds.

In addition, in the 17-24 year category, Kyle Norton (17-24 yrs) took out the bronze in 50m butterfly and Alex Thompson won bronze in the 50m freestyle.

“Medals are never easy to come by and the clear majority of our swimmers achieved PB’s in their races,” Tuohy said.

“It was a great personal effort.

“After qualifying through four zone race nights, 40 of our swimmers made it through to attend the carnival at Wyong with 15 participating in individual events.”

Some of the volunteers on duty at the Dolphin meet.

Under RSL State Championships rules, competitors can only take part in a maximum of two individual events and the freestyle and medley relays.

The Dolphin swimmers will take their form to the high schools state championships.

“The Dolphins will goes into a 6-month end of season break, to start registrations again in September,” Tuohy said.

■ The awards are sponsored by rebel, Featherdale Wildlife Park, Rooty Hill RSL, SportsTG and Your Local Club.

■ To nominate someone or find out more about the program visit: localsportsstars.com.au

Nominate now

■ The Local Sports Stars program is searching for outstanding athletes aged under 18, as well as those that love and contribute to making sport a great experience for everyone.

■ We also want to celebrate the parents, coaches and volunteers that help make it all possible.

■ There are five categories to nominate people in: Junior Sports Star Individual, Junior Sports Star Team, Young Sporting Spirit Individual, Young Sporting Star Team and Service to Sport.

■ The awards are sponsored by rebel, Featherdale Wildlife Park, Rooty Hill RSL, SportsTG and Your Local Club.

■ To nominate someone or find out more about the program visit: localsportsstars.com.au