Along with ‘old hand’ Declan Sutton, the Macksville boys swam strongly at the meet.

Declan was happy with his results this early in the season, while both lads are looking good for the NSW Country Championships in February when they should be at their fittest. 

Fifty-nine swimmers from 17 North Coast clubs – from Murwillumbah to Stroud – had a busy lead up to Christmas with six days of competition at the Swimming NSW Senior 13 years and over State Age Championships.

The new format allowed swimmers 18 years and over to compete in these championships for the first time and this change proved popular – making for some very long swim sessions.

North Coast swimmers responded well to the high level competition, pushing most to achieve several personal best times. Eight medals were won by North Coast swimmers, and they achieved 37 Top 10 placings.

The outstanding North Coast swimmer was Tylah Crabtree from Trinity Lismore who won two gold, two silver and one bronze medal. The other medallists were Lachlan Walker (silver) from Alstonville, Phoebe Bentley (bronze) from Port Macquarie and Nash Wilkes (bronze) from Forster Aquatic.

Declan from the Marlins rose to the challenge of a State event, recording improved times each swim. A PB in the heats of the 100m backstroke and further improvement in the final resulted in a 5th place.

Zoe Rudder of Nambucca Aquatic swam a PB in each of her individual events, the 100m and 200m breaststroke. Nambucca was one of only two teams from the North Coast to enter relay events and the girls inspired each other to improve on their entry time by almost four seconds.

MACKSVILLE MARLINS

SUTTON, DECLAN - Male - Age: 16

Boys 16 50 Free Prelims 25.33 (17) *QT

Boys 16 100 Back Finals 1:01.52 (5) *QT

Boys 16 100 Back Prelims 1:01.75 (5) *QT

WELSH, DARCY - Male - Age: 15

Boys 15 100 Breast Prelims 1:20.96 (37)

NAMBUCCA

BYRNE, REKKII - Female - Age: 16

Girls 16 200 Fly Prelims 2:51.99 (16)

Girls 16 50 Free Prelims 30.65 (74)

Girls 16 100 Breast Prelims 1:24.85 (28) *QT

Girls 16 200 Breast Prelims 3:06.54 (26)

Girls 16 100 Fly Prelims 1:12.60 (28)

Girls 16 200 IM Prelims 2:46.09 (38)

GUEST, KASSIDY - Female - Age: 14

Girls 14 50 Free Prelims 30.95 (105)

RUDDER, ZOE - Female - Age: 13

Girls 12-13 200 Breast Prelims 3:04.83 (27) *QT

Girls 12-13 100 Breast Prelims 1:22.61 (16) *QT

RELAY

Girls 12-14 4x50 Free Relay Finals 2:02.51 (33) *QT

Nambucca shark victim back home

Valla Lions Fair in photos