FIVE members of the Busselton Swimming Club have recently returned from the Georgina Hope Australian Age Swimming Championships in Brisbane where they exceeded all expectations. With all girls swimming multiple events, three finals and a podium finish, the team has had a highly successful national campaign.
On day one the rookie of the Team Maddy Johnston-Walker got the team off to racing start with a personal best time in the 14 years 100-metre fly securing a place in the final that night and finishing with a top 10 ranking in Australia.
Coach Brooke Kemp said Maddy’s consistent hard work over the past 12 months paid off and she was rewarded with a finals berth and ranking improvement from 21st to 10th in Australia. Kemp said all the girls had a goal to make this national team and they did. Zoe Butler and Ester Pedrick achieved one of their long term goals of qualifying for their pet events – 100m and 200m back for Butler and 50m free and 100m fly for Pedrick. While the girls were slightly off their season best Kemp said they put in a solid performance for their first nationals in a “pressure cooker” environment with 1800 competitors.
Lucinda Jones, with three individual events and a relay spot, has a bright future in the sport.
The veteran of the group at 16 years Jasmine Hopkins had a great Championships. A finals berth and fourth place in the 100m backstroke which was an improvement from Jasmine’s ranking last year of seventh, was followed with a podium finish in the 200m back and a bronze medal.
Jasmine’s time in the 200 back has also earned her a spot at the FINA World Junior Championships. She will travel with the Australian Dolphin Team to Indianapolis, USA in a few months time to compete against the worlds best.
Jasmine’s selection is exciting for Busselton Swimming Club and coach Brooke Kemp, as well as all our young and up and coming swimmers who have been inspired by Jasmine’s achievements. Busselton Swimming Club finished seventh out of the WA clubs and was the top Country Club.
