Natalie Treloar, Job Kuruduadua, Cruze Ryder, Haila Hegamaea, Lakea Hegamaea, Jett Ryder, Maiika Hegamaea and Mackenzie Treloar get ready to compete. Photo: Supplied.
The absence of a coach in the lead-up to the FNQ Short Course Championships did not faze seven of Cooktown’s junior swim stars when they took to the pool last month.
The Cooktown Amateur Swimming Club members travelled to Cairns for the short course showdown on 26-27 July and president Melissa Gunton praised their dedication to their sport in preparing without a club coach.
“The team did extremely well, seeing they haven’t had a coach for the past three months,” she explained.
“I have been training the seven team members twice a week, using programs from the Central Cairns Swimming team.”
The seven swimmers competed in 53 events to record a stunning 44 personal bests over the two days of competition.
Maiika Hegamaea was crowned the 10 years girls FNQ age champion after returning eight PBs from her eight events, recording gold in the 50-metre butterfly, 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, 50m freestyle, 100 butterfly, 100m individual medley and 200m individual medley.
She also picked up the Complete Swimmer Award and gold junior excellence time.
Cruze Ryder claimed the 14 years boys FNQ runner-up age champion with eight PBs from eight attempts in the pool, including gold in the 100m backstroke, and bronze in the 100m butterfly and breaststroke.
Jett Ryder also bagged the runner-up age champion title for his division, with six PBs from eight events.
Ryder impressed with wins in the 100m butterfly and backstroke, and bronze in the 100m freestyle and breaststroke.
Job Kuruduadua won a Complete Swimmer Award in the nine years boys with a second in the 50m butterfly and bronze in the 50m backstroke, and recorded four PBs from five events.
Mackenzie Treloar (11 years girls) recorded eight PBs from her eight events, while Natalie Treloar (13 years girls) notched up five new bests from eight attempts in the water.
Haila Hegamaea (13 years girls) also finished the meeting with five PBs from her eight events.
Ms Gunton said the trip would not have been possible without the ongoing support of Cooktown businesses.
“Thank you once again to our sponsors who keep supporting our club – the Cooktown RSL, Endeavour Lions Club, Cook Shire Council, Sovereign Resort Hotel, Cooktown Bowls Club and the Gungarde Community Centre,” she said.
Maiika Hegamaea, Cruze Ryder, Job Kuruduadua and Jett Ryder show off their silverware. Photo: Supplied.
