Sport

Young stars take to the pool at short course championships

By Matthew Kappos

Aug 15, 2024

Luca Caniglia, coach Vanessa Laidlaw, Charlotte Wilson, Anja Taylor, and Jack Hawkins represented Echuca Swim Club at the Victorian Short Course Country Swimming Championships. Photo: Echuca Swim Club

The Victorian Short Course Country Championships were held over the weekend in Traralgon and Echuca Swim Club was well represented.

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Four local juniors took to the 25m short course pool in a variety of events.

Luca Caniglia had a phenomenal meet, snaring a haul of three medals, one gold and two bronze.

Caniglia took out the boys 12-13 100-metre breaststroke, his blistering time of 1.10.43 more than five seconds faster than his nearest competitor.

He also did well in the 200-metre breaststroke, picking up bronze while also grabbing third in the 100-metre.

Caniglia’s three medals came from seven total events

Anja Taylor competed in six events at the championships, her best result a fifth in the 14-15 girls 200 metre backstroke.

Rounding out the Echuca contingent was Jack Hawkins, whose best result was fifth in the 12-13 boys 100-metre backstroke, and Charlotte Wilson, who managed 11th in the 12-13 girls 100-metre backstroke as her best finish.

Overall, it was an encouraging event for the Echuca squad, with the foursome putting up 16 personal bests over the 20 events they competed in.

All four swimmers have also qualified for the Victorian Age Short Course Championships, which will be held at the Melbourne Sports Centre in Albert Park on September 6-8.