Records smashed by Albany swimmers at national meet

Albany’s representatives at the 2019 Hancock Prospecting Australian Age Swimming Championships have returned with records and personal-best times after their venture to South Australia last month.

Albany Swim Club had four competitors tackle the national meet in Adelaide, Tom Gawned, Jake Shepherd, Jacques Swarts and Luke Wallinger.

The group qualified to swim two relays, the 4x50m medley and 4x50m freestyle, while Gawned took part in seven individual events.

Gawned competed in his seven events, setting four PB times and reaching the 100m backstroke final.

He twice broke his PB in the 100m backstroke and came fifth in the final in a time of 59.93secs, in the process setting a new country all-time record.

In the medley relay, the Albany foursome recorded a PB time and set a new 15 years-and-under country all-time record with a mark of 1:59.95.

They broke their own country all-time 15 years-and-under record and set a PB in the 4x50m freestyle after stopping the clock at 1:44.09.

That time also set new country all-time marks in 16-and-under and 17-and-under records previously held by Peel Aquatic since 2011 and Mandurah since 2003 respectively.

ASC head coach Marshall McAleese said the group’s performances were outstanding.

“We had three of our boys at their first nationals,” he said.

“The relay boys were phenomenal ...

the freestyle relay was a big step up and they swam another PB from their entry time, which they just managed to qualify and three managed to swim their fastest ever relay split.

“Tom is a bit crook at the moment but he handled himself well and wanted to compete.

“He swam PBs, is making inroads in freestyle and only just turned 15, so it’s all about experience for him and getting used to competing at that level.”