By JARROD POTTER
EARLY season short-course success – the yard-stick for stellar results later in the swimming calendar – has been tapped in by the next generation of Casey TigerSharks.
Taking their talents to the Swimming Victoria Short Course Age Championships last week, three Casey swimmers touched in first to set their summer campaigns up strongly.
Kyle Young surged through the under-14 boys 1500 metre freestyle to take the gold medal in 16.52.04 minutes before backing up with equally strong performances in the 200 metre butterfly (first), 400m freestyle (second) and 200m freestyle (third) among a number of finals-calibre finishes.
Nick Galileos also swam strongly at the meet – a 1500m in 16.04.68 in the under 15-18 race was strong enough for gold as well – showing TigerSharks’ newly acquired might in the longest discipline while picking up third in the 200 and 400m freestyle as well as the 200m under-16 boys butterfly.
Tyson Caddy rounded out the top-of-the-podium success for the local dynamos as he continued the club’s rich legacy in the 200m backstroke with a win in the under-16 boys’ event, touching in 2.07.27 and also finishing second in the 100m back.
The TigerSharks’ under-15 boys ranks were well represented by upcoming state representative Matthew Faoro who earned silver in the 100m and 200m breaststroke.
Natalie Grey picked up third in the 400m 16 girls’ freestyle while Shaun Banzon also excelled picking up silver and three bronze medals.
“It was a great effort all around – we’re proud of the boys in particular, they did a great job for the team,” TigerSharks assistant coach Julie Janz said.
“Great efforts as well from kids that made states for the first time – couple made finals Patrick Ngo made his first finals at his first states and Rachael Emmett was her first states with our club as well and made finals.
“They’re young up and coming kids and it’s fantastic to see.”
The TigerSharks will host its inaugural Casey RACE novice meet on Sunday 4 October at the Cranbourne-based facility.
For more information on the meet, contact the club at sue@rippon.com.au.
