DESPITE some topsy-turvy conditions across the weekend, the Wangaratta Amateur and Wodonga City Long Course Meet was a success in and out of the pool. Hosted at the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre across Saturday and Sunday, the hundreds of competing swimmers from clubs across the state had to endure a hot Saturday and cooler conditions and wet weather on the Sunday. The event was opened by Mayor Irene Grant, and hosted jointly by the Wangaratta Amateur Swimming Club and Wodonga City Swim Club, with swimmers from Wangaratta to Melbourne diving into the pool across the two days. Swimmers were doing their best to achieve qualifying times for the various upcoming meets at both state and national levels. Wangaratta Amateur Swimming Club president Mel Jackson said the meet was conducted in good spirits and enjoyment for all. “We saw day one was a very hot dry day and day two was a contrast of cold and wet weather, but this did not stop the enthusiasm of the swimmers and the great atmosphere at the pool,” she said. “Over the two days, the club had 33 swimmers participate in a total of 191 events. “There were an impressive 123 PBs, one stage age time, seven country times for January 2025, four Victorian sprint and one national time. “Well done to all the swimmers who train really hard to do their best to achieve in the pool. “Thank you to WSAC for supporting the event - this is a fantastic event which has featured and has been successful in the last few years for the Wangaratta community.” Wangaratta Amateur Swimming Club notable results National time: Max Chandler, 50 metre Freestyle. State Age time: Max Chandler, 50 metre backstroke. Country times: Max Chandler, Maddy Cross - 50 metre backstroke; Zara Kalish, Patrick Hunter - 100 metre Freestyle; Emma Brettig, Zara Kalish - 50 metre Freestyle. Victorian Sprint times - Max Chandler, Logan Pace - 50 metre backstroke; Lily Girolami, Patrick Hunter - 50 metre Freestyle. Lucinda Judd, Caitlyn Barnden, Evenlyn Selby and Spencer Jackson improved their PBs by 20 seconds or more. Caitlyn Barnden had seven PBs out of eight swims, Spencer Jackson had eight PBs out of eight swims.
