Sensational swimming at the 2024 MSNSW Long Course State Championships
Report by Katrina Burgess, Club Captain
The 2024 MSNSW State Long Course Championships were held on 13/14 April 2024 at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
Tuggeranong Vikings were represented by 19 swimmers: 14 women and 5 men as follows:
Catherine Alexander, Katrina Burgess, Donna Campbell, John Collis, Liz Daly, Brenda Day, Cecelia Kaye, Kylie Lane, Christine Leary, Caz Makin, Atsuko McGowan, Elizabeth Merenda, Christine Mummery, Kerry Mummery, Michael Peedom, Richard Phillips, Liz Needham, Kristi Ruus, Mark Van Deursen.
We were able to enter 12 relay teams which is a crucial factor to the overall point score as relays are awarded with double points. This was a club-targeted meet and the coaching team had been preparing our training workouts to ensure peak performance. We are extremely pleased with the results. There are so many sensational achievements that, as Club Captain, Katrina has made a top achievements list.
Overall, our club achieved a total of 848 points, placing us fourth from the 41 participating clubs. We came second to Campbelltown on average points per swimmer which is a phenomenal accomplishment. Congratulations to all swimmers who played their part in our point score. We also saw 15 individual and 4 club relay records being broken.
Elizabeth Merenda was awarded the ‘Female Swimmer of the Meet’. This is not the first time that Elizabeth has won this award! This award is based on achieving the highest number of FINA points for the five individual swims. Elizabeth was also the Age Champion in the Female 40-44, winning gold in all 5 swims and continues to remain undefeated. She also broke club records in the 200m Freestyle and 200m Individual Medley. There was excitement and loud cheering all round from her team mates and family during the trophy presentation.
Christine Mummery, was Age Champion in the Female 65-69, earned 49 out of 50 points and her swims were all new club records in the 50/100/200m Backstroke and 100/200m Freestyle. Chris is so strong and steady in the water.
Atsuko Gowan’s gracefulness is always a pleasure to watch as she just glides through the water with speed and efficiency. Atsuko broke the 100m and 200m Backstroke club records in her new 45-49 age group.
It was an immense pleasure to have John Collis and Michael Peedom from Molonglo Water Dragons represent the Vikings at this meet. John baked a delicious cake that he shared around on Saturday, showing off his baking skills and as always, many jokes were shared. It was interesting watching his breaststroke technique in the 50m sprint. He tried two strokes to one breath that he stated he used as a kid, which some of us didn’t realise was allowed, but thanks to Ann Reid, our Technical Officer, for clariifying that it is indeed!
Michael broke three club records in his favourite stroke - the 50/100/200m Freestyle and both men were invaluable and an integral part of the record-breaking relay teams.
Chris Leary was a powerhouse, with the consistency of training and dedication towards the endurance program proved a winning combination as she gained her first-ever State medals including a gold in the 200m Backstroke. She broke club records in the 100m and 200m Backstroke in the 70-74 age group.
We are incredibly proud of and inspired by Brenda Day. As the oldest female swimmer and the “Queen Mermaid”, Brenda swam five incredible races. With so many injuries and surgeries, she has shown that it is possible to come back stronger and fitter if you follow the rehabilitation journey correctly. Brenda illustrated her proficiency in all four strokes during her 200m Individual Medley, and she broke four club records in the 75-79 age group: 100m and 200m Backstroke and 100m and 200m Freestyle.
It was also wonderful to see Catherine Alexander back in the competition pool, and breaking the club record for 100m Freestyle in the 70-74 age group.
Liz Daly, Kristi Ruus and Mark Van Deursen have all been training with consistency, dedication and determination over the summer months which showed in their results. They swam personal best times in all their races. The sprint Freestyle races were very pleasing to watch. Kristi’s parents were in the stands watching her swim and Mark had his little family cheer squad of wife and 3-year-old son watching and cheering on “daddy”.
The relays were held at the end of each day with our club fielding six relays each day. Relay gold went to the 4x50m Freestyle Women’s 160-199 team consisting of Atsuko, Kristi, Liz D, and Elizabeth. Three Tuggeranong relay teams placed 2nd and another five Tuggeranong relay teams placed 3rd. It was a mammoth effort against tough competitors, and we dug deep and pushed hard for those valuable team points. Thanks to everyone for their efforts.
Four club relay records were also set during these events:
280+ Women’s 4x50 Medley: Cecelia Kaye, Catherine Alexander, Christine Leary, Brenda Day.
240+ Men’s 4x50 Medley Relay: Kerry Mummery, John Collis, Mark Van Deursen, Michael Peedom.
280+ Mixed 4x50 Freestyle Relay: John Collis, Michael Peedom, Donna Campbell, Christine Mummery.
280+ Mixed 4x50 Medley: Christine Mummery, Kerry Mummery, Christine Leary, Michael Peedom.
Thanks to Ann Reid, who unfortunately is out of the water due to shoulder surgery and rehabilitation, but still dedicated her weekend to the club as an official (Inspector of Turns), and hubby Pete who spent the weekend handing out all the medals. Donna Campbell also spent her time either competing or on the pool deck doing Chief Marshall official duties. Thank you for representing our club as technical officials.
For those who stayed at the Mecure in Blacktown, it was enjoyable to get together and have a beer or two on the Friday and Saturday evenings at the Blacktown Sports Club.
MSNSW State Short Course Championships will be held in Canberra on the 12/13 October 2024 at the AIS. Put the date in your calendars for a huge Vikings turn out!