Manly Swimming Club: National championship tilt by local swimmers

They’re primed and ready to go — 20 of our top swimmers headed for the 2021 Australian Age and Open Swimming Championships.

Manly Swimming Club member Charli Brown training at Manly Aquatic Centre. Charli, 18, from Frenchs Forest, is competing in five events at the 2021 Australian Open Swimming Championships on the Gold Coast, starting on April 5. Picture: Troy Snook

A team made up of some of the most talented — and fastest — young swimmers on the northern beaches is set to head to Queensland this weekend to take part in national championships.

The Manly Swimming Club, based at the Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton Aquatic Centre, is sending 20 swimmers to take part in the 2021 Australian Age Swimming Championships and Open Championships at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.

The eight-day meet at Southport is scheduled to start on Easter Monday, April 5, dependant on any COVID-19 changes.

Club president Matthew Paterson told the Manly Daily that 14 members of the swimming club aged, 14 to 17, will be taking part in the Age Championships and five adults in the Open Championships.

William Walton, 24, will swim in five events in the Multi-Class competition for swimmers with a disability.

Mr Paterson was speaking ahead of a special ceremony at Manly pool on Thursday evening where the competitors were presented with their national championship caps, towels and T-shirts.

To make the age (ages 14 to 17) and open championships (age 18 and over) the swimmers had to meet qualifying times for their particular events.

He said the team was thrilled with the opportunity to fly to the Gold Coast for the meet, especially after the 2020 championships, set down for Perth, were cancelled due to COVID.

“The team has had a good lead up because the head coach, Justin Rothwell, with his assistant coach Blake Medhurst, has been whipping them into shape.

“There wouldn’t be many clubs who have representative across all three meets, which is good.

“Our expectation of the swimmers is that they try their best and hopefully get a few personal best times.

“Whatever comes after that is a bonus.”

Charli Brown, from Frenchs Forest, who has represented Australia at a junior level, is competing for the first time in the open championships.

She once held the girl’s 16 years 400m individual medley national champion.

Charli will swim in the 200m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke, 200m individual medley and 200 breaststroke.

At the presentation Coach Rothwell said the team was in good shape.

“We did the NSW Open three weeks ago and had some really good swims.

“The Gold Coast meet is in an outdoor pool, which we’re used to. I’m hoping for inclement weather, rain, wind, sun in the eyes, we’ve trained for it.

“Bring on the Nationals.”

(Back row, left to right) Sophie McIntyre, Felisa Gonzalo, Kya Furlong, Maddy Davis and Annika Fowler. (Front row) Alexi Furlong and Emily Ryan. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

The Team:

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS:

Charli Brown

Olivia Donoghue

Jordan Meecham

Tarah Ogilvie

Lauren Wilson

AGE CHAMPIONSHIPS AND MULTI-CLASS:

Madeline Davis

Nicholas Delany

Callyn Fenwick-Kearns

Annika Fowler

Alexi Furlong

Kya Furlong

Felisa Gonzalo

Joshua Kerr

Thomas Kerr

Sophie McIntyre

Conner Maggs

Harrison Rothwell

Emily Ryan

William Walton

Kyan Winn