THE MACKSVILLE Marlins team held nothing back as they dove head first into the competitive waters of the Swimming North Coast Long Course Area Championships.
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The 19 Marlins representatives achieved an amazing 75 PBs out of their 130 combined events, an outstanding achievement considering they have only been in the 50m pool for seven weeks, a far cry less than their neighbouring clubs.
The small but determined team gave it their all to achieve a staggering ninth place overall out of the 34 clubs in attendance.
For swimmers Lily Riddington, Aston Pike and Nate Pike it was their first taste of big-time competition, but they didn’t let it phase them, tearing up the pool to drop seconds off their entry times.
Jazmin Sutton, Brody Faulds, Ryan Faulds, Keeley Sutton and Koah Searle proved persistence in training pays off with massive time improvements and higher rankings achieved over the two-day competition.
For Darcy Welsh, the meet was an opportunity to fine tune his racing plan for the upcoming NSW State Age titles where he will compete in his favourite event 100m breaststroke.
The Marlins were also frequent visitors to the dais with 35 individual medals being claimed by club swimmers. Medal winners were Declan Sutton (9), Leah PIckvance (6), Bailey Pickvance (6), Fyn Harrison (5), Cohen Welsh (5), Asha Searle (3) and Brayden Clark (1).
The Mixed 12/U Medley relay team consisting of Courtney Clark, Leah Pickvance, Asha Searle and Cohen Welsh claimed bronze while the Boys 10/U Freestyle relay of Jaxon White, Brayden Clark, Bailey Pickvance and Kirby Welsh won a silver for their efforts.
Leah Pickvance shone in the pool breaking two championship records while team mate Cohen Welsh sent one record tumbling.
Declan ‘The Decimator’ Sutton continued his winning streak making it six years in a row that he has taken the title of SNC Age Champion.
The weekend wasn’t just about racing – it was having fun with your teammates and fellow swimmers from other clubs and cheering each other on to do their best.
The Marlins were very grateful to have their dedicated coaches Tony Kokegei and Renee Pickvance from Macksville Memorial Aquatic and Fitness Centre attend the meet to warm them up and give pre and post race advice to the swimmers. Victor Lee from Soulitude Health was also on hand to observe and advise the swimmers (Victor has been assisting many of the Marlins with specific dryland training as well as injury prevention and management).