Our Victorian athletes again showed us they love a hometown advantage as the Hancock Prospecting Australian Short Course Championships returned to Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) from 24 – 26 October 2019.
It was our best performance at the championships in recent years with a medal tally of 45 (16 more than last year), including 15 Gold, 18 Silver and 12 Bronze.
Fresh from the World Para Champs in London, Ahmed Kelly was at his best. He smashed the S3 world record in the Men’s 150m IM Multi Class by a massive 10 seconds, with a time of 2.55.11. He also broke the S3 world record in the Men’s 100m Backstroke Multi Class (1:57.78). On top of his Gold medals in those events, he also took home Silver in the 50m and 100m Breaststroke Multi Class.
His Melbourne Vicentre teammate, Ashleigh McConnell, was also outstanding. She broke the S9 world record in the Women’s 50m Freestyle Multi Class with her time 28.54. She also claimed Gold in the Women’s 100m Freestyle Multi Class.
Sam Williamson was turning heads both in and out of the pool. Not only did the Firbank swimmer claim the breaststroke trifecta and break a Victorian and Victorian All comers record, he also wore a special cap, created by the club, to raise awareness for breast cancer (pictured).
The dream run continued for MLC Aquatic’s Gabriella Peiniger. A member of the Junior World Championship team, the 17-year-old claimed her first national open title as she stormed to victory in the Women’s 100m Butterfly. She went on to win Gold in the Women’s 200 IM, Silver in the 200m Freestyle and Bronze in the 100m Freestyle, breaking 5 Victorian and 4 Victorian All comers records in the process.
Congratulations to all our medalists:
Gold:
Kotuku Ngawati (Melbourne Vicentre) – 100m & 50m Freestyle
Sam Williamson (Firbank Aquastars) – 50m, 100m & 200m Breaststroke
Gabriella Peiniger (MLC Aquatic) – 100m Butterfly & 200m IM
David Schlicht (MLC Aquatic) – 400m IM
Ahmed Kelly (Melbourne Vicentre) – 150m IM & 100m Backstroke MC
Ashleigh McConnell (Vicentre) – 50m & 100m Freestyle MC
Ruby Storm (Traralgon) – 50m & 100m Breaststroke MC
Rod Welsh (Northcote) – 50m Backstroke MC
Silver:
Brendon Smith (Nunawading) – 400m Freestyle
Elyse Woods (Melbourne Vicentre) – 100m Freestyle
Tara Kinder (DVE Aquatic) – 200m Breaststroke
Julia Hawkins (Nunawading) – 50m Freestyle
Matthew Temple (Nunawading) - 100m Butterfly
Gabriella Peiniger (MLC Aquatic) – 200m Freestyle
David Schlicht (MLC Aquatic) – 100m IM
Ahmed Kelly (Melbourne Vicentre) – 50m & 100m Breaststroke MC
Anna Leighton (Ballarat Gold) – 50m Breaststroke MC
Dylan Logan (Geelong) – 50m Backstroke MC
Jaime-Lee Getson (Melbourne Torpedoes) – 50m & 100m Backstroke, 100m Breaststroke MC
Rod Welsh (Northcote) – 100m Backstroke MC
Ruby Storm (Traralgon) – 50m & 100m Butterfly, 200m IM MC
Bronze:
Olivia Lefoe (MLC Aquatic) – 200m Backstroke
Matthew Temple (Nunawading) – 200m Butterfly
Gabriella Peiniger (MLC Aquatic) – 100m Freestyle
Luke Gebbie (Melbourne Vicentre) – 100m Freestyle
Daniel Cave (Melbourne Vicentre) – 50m & 100m Breaststroke
Elyse Woods (Melbourne Vicentre) – 200m Freestyle
Mikayla Smith (Nunawading) - 50m Breaststroke
Col Pearse (Melbourne H20) – 100m Butterfly MC
Emily Beecroft (Traralgon) – 100m Butterfly MC
Ruby Storm (Traralgon) – 100m Backstroke MC
Megan Botha (CA Tritons) – 400m Freestyle MC
For full results click here.
