Cooktown Amateur Swimming Club team members meet Australian Paralympian Grant “Scooter” Patterson and members of the Central Cairns Swimming Club at the 2024 Far North Queensland Short Course Swimming Championships last month. Photo: Supplied.
The lack of a competitive swimming head coach has not deterred Cooktown Amateur Swimming Club (CASC) members from starring in the pool at the 2024 Far North Queensland Short Course Championships in Cairns on 27-28 July.
Juniors coach Rachel Chapman and parents stood up to be counted in the absence of a head coach, with the 56 personal best times set by the Cooktown swimmers during the two days of competition a testament to the success of their efforts.
Superfish Maiika Hegamaea added to her long course glory earlier in the year by claiming the 9 years girls age champion for the meet, claiming gold in the 50-metre freestyle, butterfly and breaststroke, and 100m individual medley, and silver in the 50m backstroke.
Jett Ryder impressed in the 15 years boys division to secure third-placed age champion with three bronze medal performances in the 100m freestyle, butterfly and backstroke.
Mackenzie Treloar (10 years girls) finished third in the 100m backstroke, while Cruze Ryder claimed silver in the 13 years boys 100m butterfly.
Lakea Hegamaea took third spot on the podium in the 15 years girls 100m butterfly, with Orlando Bredillet (10 years boys) grabbing bronze in the 100m freestyle and breaststroke.
The Cooktown club finished overall sixth out of the 11 clubs that competed at the championships.
CASC president Melissa Gunton praised the club’s swimmers, as well as the coaches from the Central Cairns Swimming Club, who stepped in to assist the Cooktown visitors.
“A big shout out to the amazing coaches and team at Centrals Cairns – Herbie, Lei and June – who took us under their wing,” she said.
“And thanks to our awesome supervising parents, Jute and Les, and our amazing sponsors, who helped us get to the championships.”
Central Cairns Swimming Club coach Andrew “Herbie” Howard congratulates Cooktown’s Jett Ryder and Maiika Hegamaea on their individual age champion performances at the 2024 Far North Queensland Short Course Swimming Championships. Photo: Supplied.
