Stawell Stingrays Swimming Club coach Ben Hughes led the way in the Stawell pool last Saturday and was happy with the performance of his Stingrays team at the meet. Picture: MARK McMILLAN
STAWELL - Stawell Stingrays Swim Club continues to shine in the pool with members achieving impressive results in the Ararat meet held at Stawell last weekend.
Stingrays coach Ben Hughes was thrilled with his charges, nominating Jordan Austin, Matt Bourke and Jayden Dignan as standout performers.
Jayden won all seven of his individual events and Matt Bourke all five while out of her seven events, Jordan won four and placed second in the other three.
Hughes was particularly delighted with the performance of 22 year old Matt Bourke, who finished first in all four strokes in the men's 17-29 section.
"This is Matt's first year back at the club after several years away," Hughes said.
"He has been a welcome addition to the team providing the younger swimmers with a target to aspire."
Matt also won the Inez Collum Perpetual trophy for the male open 100 metre breaststroke, which he completed in 1:24.46.
Will Phillips swam extremely well on Saturday placing third in his 50 metre freestyle event, which was his first individual placing.
"Several new swimmers swam very well including Jack Simmons, Lucy Webster, Juliet Wheaton, Ashley Wilson and Drew Smith," Hughes said.
"They may not have had the placings of other swimmers but their hard work will pay off as they continue to improve."
Jayden Dignan, 15, claimed a clean sweep of wins in all strokes in the 15-16 men's finals.
Jayden's younger brothers, 13 year old Bailey and 10 year old Kyle, also achieved first placings in various events.
Bailey won the 13-14 years 50 metre backstroke final and Kyle claimed top honours in the 9-10 men's 100 metre breaststroke, 50 metre butterfly, 200 metre individual medley, 100 metre freestyle and 100 metre backstroke events.
Jaxon Healy, 11, finished first in two events - 11-12 years men's 200 metre individual medley and 50 metre breaststroke finals while nine year old Madix Perry took out the 9-10 backstroke final.
Jack Simmons, 12, won the men's 11-12 100 metre and 50 metre freestyle finals and Ben Hughes, 27, was victorious in the men's 17-29 freestyle event.
While 14 year old Jordan Austin was a stand out for the Stingrays women with wins in 13-14 women's individual medley and freestyle finals, there were other fine performances from her female teammates.
Eliza Bennett, 12, recorded first placings in the women's 11-12 100, 50 and 25 metre freestyle finals while another 12 year old, Tayla Honeyman won the 11-12 women's 100 metre breaststroke and 200
metre individual medley finals.
Natalie Perry, who is also 12, won the 11-12 women's 100 metre butterfly and backstroke finals while Kearnie Warren, 15, took out the 50 metre 15-16 years backstroke event.
Laura McClure, 16, came out on top in the 400 metre women's 15-16 freestyle, 200 metre individual medley and 100 metre butterfly finals.
Stawell's relay teams also returned with three wins.
The Stingrays 'C' team took home top honours in the mixed 12 and under 200 metre freestyle, 'B' won the mixed 200 metre freestyle and 'A' finished first in the mixed 200 metre medley relay.
Horsham won Saturday's meet, edging Stawell out by 22 points.
"Horsham have far more swimmers than us and it's difficult to complete but we tend to get more points per swimmer," Hughes said.
"They add all the points from the year together to award the club with the most points the Wimmera Championship, we were second to Horsham last year but I am hoping we can push them a little more this year."
This weekend, the Stingrays are off to St Arnaud before enjoying a week off.