Victorian Age & Open Water Championships

In the week before Christmas 65 swimmers from the MLC Aquatic team competed at the Victorian Age Championships and 35 swimmers competed at the Victorian Open Water Championships.  These events are the major Victorian championship events for the year with swimmers taking 6-12 months to train and qualifying for the events.  This year produced the Club's best result ever with MLC Aquatic coming a clear 3rd on the overall point score with 2146 points (in comparison to last year’s 1200 points).  The medal tally reflected the overall standard of swimming by the MLC Aquatic swimmers with 33 gold medals, 29 silver 20 bronze medals for a total of 82 medals (in comparison to last year’s 17 gold, 26 silver and 14 bronze totalling 57 medals).  Throughout the meet MLC Aquatic individuals and relay teams broke 5 Victorian records.  Four swimmers were named age group champions (the best swimmers in their age group):

• 12 year age champion - Ryan-Alexander Lobo
• 15 year age champion - Ryland Brian
• 16 year age champions (male and female) - Heath Macleod and Connie McClelland

Over the week 26 MLC Aquatic swimmers qualified for the Australian Age Championships and 8 swimmers qualified for Olympic trials.
 
The Victorian Open Water Championships were held at Williamstown beach where a team of 35 swimmers (our biggest team by about 20 swimmers)  competed in either the 10km, 5km or 2.5km events.  From the group 9 swimmers qualified for the national water championships in Mooloolaba in February.  MLC Aquatic claimed 8 medals on the day, 2 gold, 5 silver, and 1 bronze.  Congratulations to Sam Shephard finishing second to the World Open Water Champion in the 10km and we wish him every success in his ambition to make the Olympic team when he competes in Mooloolaba in February.
 
 
Nick Veliades
Swimming - Head Coach

Above:  MLC Aquatic qualifiers for the National Open Water Championships.

Above:  MLC Aquatic team members giving team support at the Vic Age Championships.