Queensland’s fastest swimmers took the blocks to compete at the 2022 Ronald McDonald House Charities Queensland Sprint Championships on the 12 and 13 of February at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre.
The meet was open to Swimming Queensland registered competitive swimmers who met the criteria and qualifying time.
More than 1500 swimmers from all over the state attended.
Nine qualifying swimmers, one male and eight females, attended from the local Stanthorpe Swimming Club, and they proudly wore their aqua coloured swim caps.
Isabella Jackson, Brianna Anderson, Levi Fittock, Ellice Gow, Zoe Petrie, Georgina Lester, Jessica Pradella, Lillian Kendall and Ava Lester comprised the nine representative swimmers.
For some of the kids and their families, this was their first state meet and was a great experience.
The swimming season for them is from September school holidays until Easter, meaning the training schedules are short.
Most competitors at this level train all year round with more favourable climate or indoor facilities in their favour.
The Stanthorpe swimmers made their competitors know they were there and made their mark.
The 50m short course included open events with heats and finals, 11-year-olds to 18-year-olds with heats and finals, 10-year-old times and finals, and multi class events heats and finals.
There were 80 events in four sessions over the course of the weekend.
Out of those 80 events, the Stanthorpe team competed in 24 events, finishing up with 14 personal bests for the team.
Long-time local coach Gail Smail was on pool deck to meet before and after the kid’s races.
She said the kids were there to soak up the atmosphere.
“It’s a reward for all their hard work so far to enjoy swimming at the Queensland States, they deserve to be there as much as anyone else,” Gail said.
Stanthorpe Swim Club President Brendan Kay congratulated the nine swimmers and parents and said he appreciated their support.
He also thanked Gail Smail for her continued support and guidance to the swimmers and club.
