Traralgon Wins 11^th Title at Country Swim Champs

The Traralgon Swimming Club has returned from the Victorian Country Championships in Geelong victorious in winning its 11^th title in 12 years in a stunning performance  over its nearest rivals winning all trophies on offer. With a points score of 2,736 it was well ahead of Geelong on 1,642 followed by Warrnambool on 1,048 and dominated both the Boys and Girls events with 42 Gold, 31 Silver and 14 Bronze medals.

Taking its biggest ever team of 74 swimmers Traralgon’s swimmers competed in 169 Individual finals and was successful in having all of its 40 relay teams make finals – a new record for the Club.

A standout performer was Jeremy Meyer,19, who travelled from his home base at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, winning the coveted Bruce Carter Trophy for the best performance by a 14 year and over swimmer. Jeremy competed in over 14 events plus relays winning 4 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze medal in a tremendous display of endurance and resilience over the 3 day meet.

13 year old Georgia Tsebelis won the prestigious Rob Godfrey Memorial Trophy for the most outstanding 13 years and under swimmer for the 3^rd year in succession – the first time any swimmer has achieved this feat. Winning 7 Gold and 3 Silver medals and breaking 4 events records Georgia not only won age groups events but also 3 Open events at the meet – the 200 metre Individual Medley, 100  and 200 Metre Backstrokes.

18 year old Stephanie Morgan returned to swimming with a vengeance after missing most of 2010 doing VCE. She brought home 4 Gold and 2 Bronze medals, swam numerous events and was a big point scorer for the team.

19 year old Dylan Wyatt returned to the Club winning 2 Gold in the Open 100 metre Free and Fly events by less than 0.10 showing all he is the master of the close finish. A further  Silver and  Bronze in 2 other events was a great return for his weekend.

12 year old Erin Roberts was outstanding winning 3 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze dominating her Age Group with a wonderful display of starting, underwater work and finishes. Her race for a silver with fellow 12 year old Traralgon swimmer  Fabienne Schoutens in the 100 Breaststroke brought the crowd to its feet with only 0.03 the difference at the end and both girls recording 13/Under National Qualifying times.

18 year old Brayden Waltham had a tremendous meet winning the 50 metre Backstroke in a new event record and just tipping out team mates Ben Geard and Dylan Wyatt in the 50 metre Fly by 0.12.

11 year old Jasmine Doultree and 10 year old Alex Tsebelis were also strong performers in their age group. Jasmine won 2  gold and 1 silver and broke an event record in the 50 metre Fly with a time of 32.33. Alex also won the 50 metre Fly missing the event record by 0.07 a fantastic  achievement for a 10 year old in an 11/under event.

Traralgon again dominated the Relays winning 15 of the 20 Gold medals and adding another 8 silver and 3 bronze to its tally.