HIGHLY regarded swim coach Tom Davis has assembled a powerful young squad at Nelson Bay Swimming Club.
The Head Swim coach at Tomaree Aquatic Centre has built the club from scratch and today is basking in its success with a new golden era of elite swimmers.
Five of his top prospects Ebony Nix, Randal Ingram, Lara Budd, Lachlan Parker and Stefan Grant have returned from the Australian Age Swimming Championships and New Zealand Age Group Swimming titles where they performed with distinction.
Thirteen-year-old Grant shone across the Tasman at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre – snaring three bronze medals and racking up two top six finishes from his six events.
Competing in the 1500m freestyle New Zealand 13yrs Boys national final, the Port Stephens “iron man” clocked a personal best time to finish third – then backed it up with bronze medal achievements in the 200m butterfly and 800m freestyle timed final.
Corlette superfish Nix capped an outstanding meet at her fifth Australian Age Championships at Brisbane Aquatic Centre – appearing in four finals with top 10 finishes in the 17yrs Girls 50m freestyle (eighth), 100m backstroke (ninth), 100m freestyle (tenth) and 100m butterfly (tenth).
Ebony also finished 11th in the 50m backstroke and 17th in the 50m butterfly.
A courageous Parker swam personal best times to finish a creditable fourth in the 14yrs Boys 50m freestyle A Final as well as 26th in the 50m butterfly and 27th in the 100m freestyle.
The talented Ingram, 17, produced super swims to finish fifth in the 18yrs Boys 50m breaststroke and sixth in the 100m breaststroke while the rising Budd improved her times with a 29th placing in the 14yrs Girls 50m breaststroke and 44th in the 100m breaststroke.
A proud Davis told News Of The Area that it was “a delight to coach all five swimmers who continue to improve and pick up medals in their various disciplines.”
“They are a dedicated bunch and have proven themselves against the best swimmers in their age groups across Australia.
“All their hard work is reaping benefits and they are fine ambassadors and a real inspiration to their club mates in and out of the pool.”
By Chris KARAS
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