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Sunraysia’s ‘Superfish’ ready for Country Championships

Posted on January 20, 2012

By VINNIE RODI

NINE of Sunraysia’s top swimmers will test their mettle against the best Victoria has to offer this weekend, when they compete at the Victorian Country Swimming Championships.

EYES ON THE PRIZE: Kunind Oberoi, Rachel Tinker, Layne Tankard, Anthony Gowers and Aleisha Simpson will be going for gold this weekend, when they compete in the Victorian Country Swimming Championships in Bendigo.

To be held in Bendigo from tomorrow through to next Monday, January 23, the event is considered the top swimming meet for regional swimmers, with the group – who are all members of Sunraysia Swimming Inc. – aiming for the top prize.

Together they will compete in more than 30 individual events, with entrants Courtney Avers, Cameron Douglass, Anthony Gowers, Rebecca McConnell, Kunind Oberoi, Aleisha Simpson, Layne Tankard, Rachel Tinker and Marcus Walker considered the best Sunraysia has to offer.

Trained by experienced swimming coach, Ben Tallent, all nine participants expressed a number of individual goals for the event – ranging from qualifying for their respective finals through to achieving personal best times.

“My main goal is to qualify for as many finals as possible, and hopefully break a few PB’s in the process,” Layne (who celebrated his 16th birthday this week) said.

“I’ve qualified for six individual events, so the goal is to perform at my best, and hopefully come home with a few best times, and maybe even a few medals.”

For veteran swimmer Rachel Tinker, 19 – who is competing in three events – the Championships will prove another opportunity to improve.

“While the aim is to try and win as many events as possible, it’s also about getting better as a swimmer,” she said.

Qualification for the Victorian Country Championships has been a 12 month process, with swimmers across the State required to record set times in each event to qualify.

All nine swimmers have spent the better part of eight months preparing and training for the event, with regular early-morning training sessions (five times a week for the older swimmers and four times a week for the younger ones) the norm.

“All of these swimmers have worked really hard to get to this point,” coach Ben Tallent said. “And it’s a real testament to their dedication and commitment to the sport.

“For most of these swimmers the past few months has been about making it to this event, and I know that all of them are really looking forward to the Championships.”

Ben said that while he was hoping all of his charges would do well in their respective events, Layne, Cameron and Anthony were the trio most likely to excel at the Championships, after displaying impressive form in a number of lead-up meets.

“Layne in particular is enjoying a great run of form,” he said. “Cameron should also do well in his events, while Anthony has vast experience competing at this level.

“All of these swimmers have put in the hard yards, and will certainly give it their all this weekend.”

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