Port Augusta 2014 Carnival Results

A group of six swimmers from the Broken Hill Aquatic Stingrays and their support crews made the trek through the flinders ranges to Port Augusta on the week end to compete in the Port Augusta Piranha’s Swimming Carnival held on Saturday at the Ryan Mitchell Swimming Centre. Ryan Mitchell was an Australian breaststroke swimmer of the 1990s, who won a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney as part of the 4x100m medley relay team. Ryan began his swimming career in Port Augusta and has the honor of having the pool named after him. On Sunday an open water swim in the port was held over 1.8 kms.

The events on Saturday were made up of scratch and handicap races with medals being awarded in each age group in the 50 metre events, 13 & under and 14 & over for the longer events.

The handicap events require the competitors to nominate a time that they are going to swim and during each heat must try to win their heat without going under the time they have nominated. These races are always exciting with close finishers assured. The winner of each heat progresses through to the next round and into a final. Two of the BHA swimmers Georgie Kuerschner and Maighan Mashford made it through to their handicap finals with Georgie powering home to finish with bronze in the 50m BBB after starting half a lap after the first competitor hit the water. Maighan also powered home in the 50m freestyle handicap final with all competitors finishing within one second of each other. When the water had settled and the results calculated Maighan was awarded fourth placing. Well done Georgie and Maighan.

The scratch races also saw some close racing with the BHA Stingrays coming away with a swag full of medals.

Harry Campbell lead the way competing in seven individual events, winning three gold, three silver and one bronze medal. Harry not only claimed gold in the 50m freestyle he also went under the 30 second barrier for the first time and claimed a personal best time. He also claimed personal best times in five of his other events. Harry them competed on Sunday in his first open water swim finishing in 8^th place. Next time you go through Port Augusta you will notice the Jetty has moved slightly as Harry thought he would take a short cut under the Jetty and found himself nudging one of the pylons with his arm. When he exited the water he looked as if he had been attacked by a shark. The team wishes him a quick recovery.

Harry’s younger brother Will also had a good meet competing in seven individual events winning one gold, two bronze medals and two personal best times. In his 50 metre butterfly swim Will carved off five seconds from his previous PB. Will also backed up on Sunday for his first open water swim as one of the youngest swimmers entered. Will had a wonderful swim finishing the event in 18^th place on handicapped time just behind the oldest swimmer at the ripe old age of 82.

I believe our running machine Maighan Mashford possibly had here best swimming carnival in some time. Maighan swam in six events and although she didn’t make it onto the podium her technique throughout all her events was fantastic. Maighan did however claim four personal best times, with the largest break of 30 seconds in the open 200 metre breaststroke finishing 7^th overall.  As Maighan’s body gets stronger her times will continue to come down quiet considerably. Maighan being one of the swimmers backing up from last year’s open water swim had another good swim finishing in 13^th place. Great effort Maighan!

Tobias Thomas, what can I say this boy just loves being part of a team, his enthusiasm and sportsmanship is second to none. You could hear Tobias cheering on his team mates from all corners of the pool complex. In the pool Tobias competed in five individual events claiming one silver and one bronze medal. Tobias also swam four personal best times and lead of the teams medley relay swim where the team claimed a bronze medal. Tobias is a strong swimmer and with more training and improved technique will become a great all-round swimmer.

Another one of our young girls to make the trip was Jade Scott. Jade is on the recovery from recent surgery and her fitness is improving. Jade had consistent swims in five individual events and although she didn’t step onto the podium she claimed three personal best times and has made great improvements in her breaststroke. Congratulations Jade!

Georgie Kuerschner, now one of the clubs senior swimmers had a good consistent meet and is building towards having a great Country Championships in January 2015. Georgie competed in nine individual events and hit the podium on seven occasions, winning three gold, two silver and two bronze medals. In the 200 metre freestyle Georgie narrowly missed gold by a finger nail in a new personal best time. Georgie also backed up on Sunday in the open water swim and finished in 12^th place overall and the third fastest female. A great all round effort Georgie!

With the new President’s Award already gathering a keen interest among the swimmers all the squad should be praised for how they supported each other during this event, it was great to see a cohesive team that all respected each other’s contributions. Special mention must go to Tobias Thomas who surprised his mother with some of his swims and was by far the most vocal when cheering on other Stingray swimmers. The award was presented at the completion of the open water swim on Sunday at the Port Augusta Sailing Club and went to Harrison Campbell. Harry recorded several PB swims & podium finishes continuing his impressive form on from our local carnival. He then backed up with the challenging 1800m open water swim the following morning, if he can continue his current form he can be sure of great results at the upcoming SA Country Champs.