Swim club glides to great results

Warragul Swimming Club has capped off the short course swimming season with an impressive result at the 2026 Victorian Short Course Swimming Championships, finishing 16th out of 63 clubs from across the state.
Twenty-four Warragul athletes competed across the three-day meet at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, going up against the best age-group swimmers in Victoria. Despite early starts, late finishes and the fatigue that comes with racing at the state's biggest meet, the Warragul contingent delivered personal best times and multiple podium finishes.
Head coach Paul Myers said the result reflected the resilience and effort the squad had shown all season.
"It was a massive three days, and our athletes acquitted themselves so well," Myers said. "We had many athletes getting personal best times at a meet where the pressure is the highest."
"It was great to see the resilience of the kids with early starts and late finishes. Despite tired legs, they stuck to the task and produced awesome swims."
Ayvah Dennis led the way for Warragul, claiming three gold medals across the meet in the 16-18 women's multiclass 100m and 200m freestyle, and the 100m multiclass backstroke.
She also took silver in the multiclass 50m freestyle and bronze medals in the multiclass 100m individual medley, and 100m butterfly.
Tyra Jensen also took gold in the 16-18 women's 50m multiclass freestyle.
Lucas Wendt was another strong performer, claiming silver in the 50m freestyle, and bronze in the 13 boys 100m freestyle and 100m individual medley.
Other notable results included:
- Cerys Nicholson - bronze in the 14-15 women's 100m multiclass backstroke, and fifth in both the 100 IM and 100m freestyle.
- Hugo Pankhurst - fourth in the 15 boys 1500m freestyle, seventh in the 800m freestyle, and ninth in the 200m butterfly.
- Hyekang Ka - silver in the 13 boys 1500m freestyle, plus top-ten finishes in the 100m and 200m breaststroke.
- Leila van Aswegen - fourth in the 14 girls 100m backstroke final and eighth in the 200m backstroke final.
- Joe McInerney - made the finals in the 14 boys 100m IM, 200m IM, 400 IM, 100m butterfly, and 200m butterfly.
- Campbell Nicholson, Cerys Nicholson, Hugo Pankhurst, Ayvah Dennis - bronze in the mixed para and able-bodied 200m medley relay.
Warragul Swimming Club will now turn its attention to the long course (50m pool) season, beginning in October.
Gippsland clubs were well-represented at the meet, with Traralgon, South Gippsland Bass and Sale Swimming Club respectively finishing 11th, 12th and 27th overall.