DIFFERENT STROKES: Georgia Baker shows off a powerful butterfly technique during the weekend’s Mountains and Plains swim meet in Orange. Photo: STEVE GOSCH
MOUNTAINS and Plains Swimming Association president Walter Hitchell says last weekend’s area championship at the newly revamped Orange Aquatic Centre was “a damn good carnival”.
Orange was selected to host the 2013 area championships largely because, along with Bathurst, the colour city is a central point for a region spanning from Glenbrook to Lake Cargelligo and from Kandos to south of Cowra.
It was also the first time since the new indoor pool was opened that the centre has hosted a carnival on such a scale.
With 370 swimmers in action, Hitchell said the venue passed with flying colours.
“As a whole it was a damn good carnival. It was certainly good for the centre,” Hitchell said, adding the region’s strong clubs were joined by some of the lesser known swimming centres in the MPS association.
“A lot of clubs that don’t necessarily get a lot of upper level swimming had teams at the carnival, which was great to see.
“Condobolin, they’ve never really been on the radar but it was good to see them in Orange over the weekend.”
Locals swimmers made quite a splash at the area championships.
The City of Orange Swim club and Kinross Swim Club brought home swags full of medals while, out of 53 swimmers, the Jets Swim Club boasted 10 age champions.
Hugh Thornhill (8 years boys), Jodie Simson (16 years girls), Shelby Archer (17 years girls), Ash Van Kemenade (18 years girls), Angela Thornhill (35-40 women), Cathy Marshall (45-50 women), Tristan Harrison (20-25 men) and Scott Weekes (40-45 men) took home age championship titles.
Hitchell complimented the pool staff at the Orange Aquatic Centre while praising the venue.