Team Wee Waa competes at Speedo Spirit heats and long course area champs

More than 20 Wee Waa Swimming Club swimmers travelled to Gunnedah on the weekend where they competed in Speedo Sprints qualifying heats and the Swimming New England North West Long Course Area Championships at the Gunnedah Memorial Pool.

Most of those swimmers qualified for the Swimming NSW 2020 Speedo Sprints Series finals, and about 14 will now travel to the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre for the Speedo Sprint finals on February 29.

Several Wee Waa Swimming Club swimmers also dominated in the area champs arena at the weekend.

Many of those travelling members were Narrabri swimmers who are part of Karla’s Swim Team.

Karla’s Swim Team head coach Karla Carruthers said she was amazed by her team’s performance.

“I was amazed at how well everyone swam at the speedo sprint heats,” she said.

The Wee Waa Swimming Club’s record-breaking 10-years-and-under boys freestyle relay team - Jaxon Gray, Eddie Lowick, Liam Nott and Jack Lowick. The Wee Waa Swimming Club’s record-breaking 10-years-and-under boys freestyle relay team - Jaxon Gray, Eddie Lowick, Liam Nott and Jack Lowick.

Gracie Lawty and Samantha Murray were all smiles on Saturday after swimming in their first Speedo Sprints heats events and qualifying for the February 29 SOPAC finals. Gracie Lawty and Samantha Murray were all smiles on Saturday after swimming in their first Speedo Sprints heats events and qualifying for the February 29 SOPAC finals.

Aleira Sunderland who swam her first NSW Country qualifying time at the weekend in the 10-years 50m freestyle. Aleira Sunderland who swam her first NSW Country qualifying time at the weekend in the 10-years 50m freestyle.

Darcy Gleeson, Jack Lowick, Liam Nott and Baxter Dalton. Darcy Gleeson, Jack Lowick, Liam Nott and Baxter Dalton.

Emily Croaker, Aleira Sunderland, Tilly Gleeson and Samantha Murray formed a frestyle relay team and they placed second in their event. Emily Croaker, Aleira Sunderland, Tilly Gleeson and Samantha Murray formed a frestyle relay team and they placed second in their event.

Toby Michell-Smith and Harry Bennett. Toby Michell-Smith and Harry Bennett.

Lilly Burford, Tilly Gleeson and Jemima Leslie. Lilly Burford, Tilly Gleeson and Jemima Leslie.

Wee Waa Swimming Club team - back, Harry Bennett, Eddie Lowick,Charley Murray, Jaxon Gray, middle, Baxter Dalton, Will Clarke, Jemima Leslie, Will Smith, Samantha Murray, Gracie Lawty, Liam Nott, front, Rosie Ross, Tilly Gleeson, Tayla Nott, Ali Murray, Campbell Leslie, Nate Dewson, Jack Lowick, Lilly Burford, Aleira Sunderland and Darcy Gleeson. Wee Waa Swimming Club team - back, Harry Bennett, Eddie Lowick,Charley Murray, Jaxon Gray, middle, Baxter Dalton, Will Clarke, Jemima Leslie, Will Smith, Samantha Murray, Gracie Lawty, Liam Nott, front, Rosie Ross, Tilly Gleeson, Tayla Nott, Ali Murray, Campbell Leslie, Nate Dewson, Jack Lowick, Lilly Burford, Aleira Sunderland and Darcy Gleeson.

“Almost all of my swimmers made the finals.

“All of the kids were impressive and did massive PBs across all strokes.

“We are all very excited for the finals in Sydney. I think they will all drop even more time when they get to Homebush. I’m so happy for some of my team who get to swim in Sydney for the first time.

“Jack Lowick really impressed me on the weekend at area championships. He raced hard and went in 11 events which is a big program for a 10-year-old.

“Baxter Dalton was also very competitive and swam some very fast times.”

One of the standout performers on the day was 13-year-old Harry Bennett who swam in four events in the Speedo Sprint heats, all of which he won, and 11 events at the area champs, all in which he claimed gold medals (see back page).

Another was 10-year-old Jack Lowick who had a huge weekend of racing, swimming his way to four state qualifying times in the 10-years 50m and 100m freestyle, 50m breaststroke and 50m butterfly as well as securing himself another country time in the 11-yrs-and-under 50m butterfly.

Ten-year-old Aleira Sunderland, also had a memorable weekend.

Aleira, who only started competing this season, swam her first NSW Country qualifying time in the 10-years 50m freestyle.

Eight-year-old duo Gracie Lawty and Samantha Murray both competed in their first Speedo Sprints heats events and both qualified for the February 29 SOPAC finals in the 8-years 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke events.

The Wee Waa Swimming Club’s three Wee Waa-based swimmers in action at the weekend all excelled.

Nine-year-olds Will Smith, Jaxon Gray and Nate Dewson all qualified for the Speedo Sprint finals on February 29 at SOPAC.

Will qualified for four finals after racing to top four finishes in the 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly and 50m breaststroke events.

Jaxon and Nate qualified for three events each. Jaxon secured top four finishes in the 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly, and 50m breaststroke, and Nate secured top four finishes in the 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 50m backstroke.