Warragul hosts swimming finals

The Warragul Leisure Centre was buzzing with excitement on Saturday as 323 swimmers descended for the All Junior Gippsland finals.
With racing season upon us and this being one of the grandest events of them all, excitement was high.
The nerves of the eight-and-nine-year-olds were high but they overcame them and dazzled with their efforts and determination to complete 50m in all strokes, especially butterfly.
The event was well attended by the Gippsland clubs with hosts Warragul having 84 swimmers, Moe 17, Morwell two, Traralgon 76, Sale 28, East Gippsland 33 and South Gippsland Bass 83.
The event was the first time many of the younger swimmers had raced at such a big meet but they took it all in their stride and were helped by the older swimmers from their squads.
The day started with some fantastic efforts in the time trials, including a couple of swimmers who achieved their desire and will travel north to the National Championships in a few months.
True sportsperson ship was on show through the day, with a large number of swimmers standing on the sides and ends of the pool giving much encouragement to those in the pool, especially the youngest years. Such support of their own and other clubs swimmers highlighted the positive culture that the clubs in Gippsland are cultivating
The top eight of each stroke, in the eight to 16 age groups who didn't win a medal at countries or states in that stroke, will head off to MSAC on Saturday 21 March for the Countries All Junior semi-finals to compete against the rest of the country districts.
Approximately three quarters of those who competed yesterday will be heading to MSAC, which is a great achievement and opportunity.
The clubs have one more one day event at Moe in a fortnight before the Gippsland Championships are held in Sale on the long weekend.