For the first time ever, the Victorian Country LC Championships were held indoors at the new, state of the art, Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre from 20-22 January.
With weather conditions on the cooler side, the facility proved to be the ideal location for the Championships. Club marquees lined the reserve outside in what became known as ‘Tent City’, creating a breakout space for swimmers and coaches to relax. This combined with the electric atmosphere on pool deck made for a sensational three days of swimming in Traralgon.
In another first, the Championships were streamed live and free on Kayo Freebies, making the event more accessible than ever. The broadcast was enhanced by our wonderful team of women commentators, all graduates from our recent Change our Game Commentator Training. Our commentators kept viewers informed and entertained, with pool deck interviews giving added insight.
The new pool produced some fast swimming with 7 individual and 3 relay Victorian Country Records broken across the 3 days of competition. Congratulations to our new record holders:
Victorian Country Individual Records
- Henry Allan (Bendigo East) – Boys 14-15 Years 100m Backstroke 58.35
- Molly Cargill (Traralgon) – Women’s 18 & Over 50m Backstroke 30.75
- Cameron Jordan (Bendigo East) – Men’s Open 100m Breaststroke 1:03.25
- Cameron Ricchini (Geelong) – Men’s Open 400m Freestyle 4:38.15
- Jacob Riches (Geelong)
- Boys 13 Years 100m Freestyle 57.41
- Boys 13 Years 100m Butterfly 1:02.86 - Archie Smyth (South Gippsland Bass) – Boys 11 & Under 50m Backstroke 33.72
Victorian Country Relay Records
- Bendigo East – Mixed Open 4x50m Medley Relay 1:54.09
- Traralgon – Women’s 17 & Over 4x50m Medley Relay
- Traralgon – Women’s Open 4x100m Freestyle Relay
At the conclusion of the Championships, a number of awards were presented. Congratulations to the following winners:
Swimmer of the Meet - Man
Awarded for the single swim by a Victorian man which scores the highest World Aquatic points score over the Victorian Country LC Championships.
Cameron Jordan, Bendigo East – Men’s Open 100m Breaststroke Final
Swimmer of the Meet – Woman
Awarded for the single swim by a Victorian woman which scores the highest World Aquatic points score over the Victorian Country LC Championships.
Molly Cargill, Traralgon – Women’s 18 & Over 50m Backstroke Final
Para Swimmer of the Meet – Man
Awarded to the Victorian man who achieves the highest aggregate points score within the multi-class events at the Victorian Country LC Championships.
Dylan Logan, Geelong
Para Swimmer of the Meet – Woman
Awarded to the Victorian woman who achieves the highest aggregate points score within the multi class events at the Victorian Country LC Championships.
Sarah Howe, Ballarat Gold
Alan Monaghan Shield
Awarded to the club scoring the highest aggregate points score over all events.
Geelong
Napthine Shield – Female
Awarded to the club scoring the highest aggregate points score over all girls’ and women’s events.
Geelong
Napthine Shield – Male
Awarded to the club scoring the highest aggregate points score over all boys and men’s events.
Geelong
Bruce Carter Trophy
Awarded for the best performance by a 14/O Victorian competitor based on the highest aggregate points.
Ashley Nicholes, Traralgon
Rob Godfrey Memorial Trophy
Awarded for the best performance by a 13/U competitor based on the highest aggregate points in 13/U events.
Jacob Riches, Geelong
Herb Jeffrey Award
Awarded for outstanding service in excess of 15 years to country swimming.
Mary Voss
Swimming Victoria would like to thank Gippsland Swimming, the La Trobe City Council and everyone involved for a fantastic event. We look forward to heading back to Traralgon for the 2024 Victorian Country Short Course Championships!
