7 Medals at Metro South West Short Course Championships

16 September 2008 Peter-Johnston Latest News
Merrylands' team of 10 swimmers won 7 medals and were finalists in 22 events at the inaugural Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships on the weekend. The club's results made this year's meet the club's most successful Short Course District/Area Championships ever.

Besides the medals and finalist ribbons, 21 new personal best times were swum from 42 events with every swimmer in the team swimming at least one new PB at the two day meet.

David Wang won the club's first medal of the meet when he swam a new personal best time of 1:19.92 on the way to third place in the 15yrs 100m Breaststroke. David took over 1.35 seconds off his old personal best time to win his first medal at the meet since finishing 3rd in the 100m Breaststroke at the 2004 Championships. He went on to win another two bronze medals at the meet after finishing 3rd in the 100m Backstroke in a new PB of 1:13.45 and 3rd in the 100m Freestyle, surpassing his previous best result of two bronze medals at the 2008 Cumberland Open & Age Championships.

Peter Johnston also won his first medals at the meet since 2004. The meet marked a bit of a return to form for Peter after he had struggled for pace at most of the meets throughout the winter season. However he finished the meet with two silver medals, his best ever championships haul, and 4 new personal best times. Peter's first medal was a bit of a surprise as he finished a close 2nd in the Open 100m Breaststroke in a new personal best time of 1:17.12, breaking his PB by 0.9 seconds and finishing just 0.23 seconds in front of third place. His second medal came in the 17yrs & Over 50m Breaststroke, also in a new personal best time of 33.53, 0.52 seconds inside his previous best.

Brittany Johnson was our third medallist of the meet, swimming at her first championship meet since 2006. Brittany overcame a shoulder injury to swim a new personal best time of 32.23 on her way to third place in the 17yrs & Over 50m Butterfly. She then backed up to swim a new PB in the Open 100m Individual Medley. Rebecca Tuivawa won our final medal in our last event of the meet, taking home bronze in the Open 100m Butterfly.

Eight out of ten of our members were a finalist in at least one of their events. Steven Nguyen took over half a second off his PB to finish just outside the medals in 4th place in the 17yrs & Over 50m Butterfly. Ethan Burton's best result was also 4th place in the 9yrs & Under 50m Backstroke.

Amber Johnson's best result came in the 15yrs 100m Backstroke where she finished in 7th while Timothy Tunks took home his first ever finalist ribbons, his best result being 5th in the 9yrs & 50m Freestyle in a new PB.

Swimming in her first Championship Meet, Belinda Sloane swam new personal best times in all three of her events while Simon Johnston swam a new PB in the lead off leg of the 10x50m Freestyle Non-Championship Relay.

Finalist Summary:

Timothy Tunks
9yrs & Under 50m Freestyle (5th)
9yrs & Under 100m Individual Medley (10th)
Ethan Burton
9yrs & Under 50m Backstroke (4th)
9yrs & Under 50m Breaststroke (5th)
9yrs & Under 50m Butterfly (10th)
9yrs & Under 100m Individual Medley (7th)
Rebecca Tuivawa
13yrs 100m Backstroke (9th)
13yrs 100m Breaststroke (7th)
13yrs 100m Butterfly (7th)
13yrs 200m Individual Medley (8th)
Open 100m Breaststroke (7th)
Open 100m Butterfly (3rd)
David Wang
15yrs 100m Freestyle (3rd)
15yrs 100m Backstroke (3rd)
15yrs 100m Breaststroke (3rd)
15yrs 200m Individual Medley (4th)
Open 100m Breaststroke (6th)
Open 100m Individual Medley (6th)
Amber Johnson
15yrs 100m Backstroke (7th)
Steven Nguyen
17yrs & Over 50m Butterfly (4th)
Brittany Johnson
17yrs & Over 50m Butterfly (3rd)
Open 100m Individual Medley (6th)
Peter Johnston
17yrs & Over 50m Freestyle (5th)
17yrs & Over 50m Backstroke (6th)
17yrs & Over 50m Breaststroke (2nd)
17yrs & Over 50m Butterfly (5th)
Open 100m Freestyle (4th)
Open 100m Breaststroke (2nd)
Open 200m Breaststroke (6th)

The swimmers who swam PBs were:

Timothy Tunks
50m Freestyle
Ethan Burton
50m Backstroke
50m Breaststroke
100m Freestyle
Belinda Sloane
100m Freestyle
100m Backstroke
100m Breaststroke
50m Freestyle (Relay Leg) (Unofficial)
Rebecca Tuivawa
200m Individual Medley
David Wang
100m Backstroke
100m Breaststroke
100m Individual Medley
200m Individual Medley
50m Freestyle (Relay Leg) (Unofficial)
Amber Johnson
100m Individual Medley
Steven Nguyen
50m Butterfly
50m Freestyle (Relay Leg) (Unofficial)
Brittany Johnson
50m Butterfly
Open 100m Individual Medley
50m Freestyle (Relay Leg) (Unofficial)
Simon Johnston
50m Freestyle (Relay Leg)
Peter Johnston
50m Freestyle
50m Backstroke
50m Breaststroke
Open 100m Breaststroke
50m Freestyle (Relay Leg) (Unofficial)

Congratulations to all 10 swimmers on their performances. Overall our club finished in 14th position on 543 points, more than double last year's total of 223. Our male team performed exceptionally well, finishing inside the top ten in 8th place, with our female team finishing in 18th.
The full results with splits are now available here.

Medal Tally

Gold 0
Silver 2
Bronze 5

See Also
  • 2008 Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships - Team

  • 2008 Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships - Results


    • 2008 Metro South West Short Course Championships Team

    Metro South West Area Short Course Championships

    11 September 2008 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    The inaugural Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September, 2008.

    Our club will be represented by 10 swimmers at the meet, competing in 40 individual championship events - our biggest team at the District/Area Short Course Championships since 2003.

    This year's team features both new and old swimmers, with some swimmers making the debut and also some swimmers who have not represented the club for a number of years making their return. Belinda Sloane and Ethan Burton have both qualified for their first Area Championships while Simon Johnston will represent the club at a District/Area Championships for the first time in over 8 years. Brittany Johnson and Steven Nguyen also make their return to the team with Brittany last competing at the meet in 2006 and Steven in 2004.

    Our team will be competing in the following championship events over the two day meet:

    Ethan Burton
    9yrs & Under 50m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 1 - 10:21am)
    9yrs & Under 100m Individual Medley (Day 1 - Session 2 - 1:13pm)
    9yrs & Under 50m Backstroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 3:14pm)
    9yrs & Under 50m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:05am)
    9yrs & Under 50m Butterfly (Day 2 - Session 4 - 1:28pm)
    Timothy Tunks
    9yrs & Under 50m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 1 - 10:21am)
    9yrs & Under 100m Individual Medley (Day 1 - Session 2 - 1:13pm)
    9yrs & Under 50m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:05am)
    9yrs & Under 50m Butterfly (Day 2 - Session 4 - 1:28pm)
    Belinda Sloane
    12yrs 100m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 1:47pm)
    12yrs 100m Backstroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 9:56am)
    12yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 2 - Session 4 - 2:13pm)
    Rebecca Tuivawa
    13yrs 100m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Session 1 - 10:38am)
    13yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 2 - 2:41pm)
    Open 100m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 3:25pm)
    13yrs 200m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 3 - 10:10am)
    13yrs 100m Butterfly (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:27am)
    13yrs 100m Backstroke (Day 2 - Session 4 - 2:52pm)
    Open 100m Butterfly (Day 2 - Session 4 - 3:25pm)
    David Wang
    15yrs 100m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 2:47pm)
    Open 100m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 3:23pm)
    15yrs 100m Backstroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 10:51am)
    Open 100m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:13am)
    15yrs 200m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 4 - 2:19pm)
    15yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 2 - Session 4 - 3:08pm)
    Amber Johnson
    15yrs 100m Backstroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 10:53am)
    Open 100m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:17am)
    15yrs 200m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 4 - 2:23pm)
    15yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 2 - Session 4 - 3:11pm)
    Steven Nguyen
    17yrs & Over 50m Butterfly (Day 2 - Session 3 - 9:34am)
    Brittany Johnson
    17yrs & Over 50m Butterfly (Day 2 - Session 3 - 9:35am)
    Open 100m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:17am)
    Peter Johnston
    17yrs & Over 50m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 1 - 9:33am)
    17yrs & Over 50m Backstroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 1:32pm)
    Open 100m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 3:23pm)
    17yrs & Over 50m Butterfly (Day 2 - Session 3 - 9:34am)
    Open 200m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 10:32am)
    Open 100m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:13am)
    17yrs & Over 50m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 4 - 1:46pm)
    Open 100m Freestyle (Day 2 - Session 4 - 2:44pm)

    Times should be used as a guide only.

    This year's meet also includes non-championship events. The following team members will be competing in non-championship events at the meet:

    Open Relays
    Open Mixed 10x50m Freestyle Relay
        Simon Johnston, Steven Nguyen, Ethan Burton, Peter Johnston, Belinda Sloane
        Amber Johnson, Rebecca Tuivawa, Timothy Tunks, David Wang, Brittany Johnson    		 (Day 2 - Session 4 - 1:00pm)
    Ethan Burton
    11yrs & Under 100m Freestyle (Day 2 - Session 3 - 9:36am)
    11yrs & Under 100m Backstroke (Day 2 - Session 4 - 1:48pm)

    Times should be used as a guide only.

    Congratulations to our swimmers for qualifying and good luck at the meet.

    You can follow the team's progress over the weekend at http://www.cumberlandswim.com.au/.

    See Also
  • 2008 Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships - Program of Events
  • 2008 Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships - Qualifying Times
  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Competitor Information

  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Parking Arrangements

    • 2008/2009 Registration

    07 September 2008 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    The club will be running two weeks of time trials leading into the 2008/2009 Swimming Season, starting at 7:00am on Saturday, 20th and Saturday, 27th September.
    On these two mornings you will also be able to register for the new season after the time trials.

    New members are welcome to register on either of these days.

    Swimmers 20yrs & Over have the option of registering as a Masters Competitor which will allow them to participate in Masters Swimming activities.

    If you are unable to register on the time trial mornings you are welcome to register on any Saturday morning during the normal season. The 2008/2009 season will begin on Saturday, 11th October.

    2008/2009 also marks the 40th Anniversary of the Merrylands Amateur Swimming Club. We are looking at planning a celebratory dinner early next year and we would like to invite all present and past members to attend. If you know of anyone who was a past member of the club, let one of the committee know so that we can invite them.

    See Also
  • Merrylands A.S.C. 40th Anniversary

  • Swimming Training

    • State Open Short Course Results

    23 August 2008 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    Merrylands was represented by 4 swimmers at this afternoon's session of the 2008 NSW State Open Short Course Championships at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

    Swimming in the Open Mens 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay, our team of Anthony Ventra, Steven Nguyen, Peter Johnston and David Wang took almost four seconds off their entry time.

    Anthony led the team out in 59.66. Steven was next in an un-offical PB of 59.93, taking over three seconds off his best time. Next into the water was Peter who also swam a new unoffical PB, taking just under a second off his old time, touching in 1:03.50. David anchored the team, finishing in 1:01.54.

    Congratulations to all 4 swimmers on their swims.

    The full results are now available here.

    See Also
  • 2008 NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Results

  • 2008 NSW State Open Short Course Championships Team

    • Metro South West Short Course Entries

    19 August 2008 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    The first ever Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th September, 2008. The Metro South West Championships replace the Cumberland Championships which have been held in the past, following the change of area boundaries earlier this year.

    This year's championship meet also includes Non-Championship events. Non-Championship events don't have qualifying times but do not attract points for individual or club pointscores. Finalist ribbons are also not awarded.

    Entries for the meet close on Monday, 25th August, 2008.

    To compete, you must have achieved the required qualifying time (where applicable) at an approved meet as detailed on the Qualifying Time Information page.

    The entries are to be on Multi-Entry cards which must be completely filled out including the date and place that times were achieved. Entries must also include your registration number.

    For more information on Championship meets, read the Championship Procedures information in the Swim Meets Section.

    No late entries will be accepted.

    See Also
  • 2008 Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships - Program of Events
  • 2008 Metro South West Area Open & Age Course Championships - Qualifying Times
  • Qualifying Time Information

  • Meet Entry Procedures

  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Competitor Information

  • Schedule of Constants

  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Parking Arrangements

  • Swimming Metro South West

  • The End of Cumberland

    • NSW State Open Short Course Championships

    18 August 2008 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    The 2008 NSW State Open Short Course Championships will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd August, 2008.

    Our club will be represented by a relay team in the Open Mens 4x100m Freestyle Relay on Saturday afternoon. The team will be our first representatives at the meet since 2005 and our first relay team at a state meet since 2006.

    Our team consists of:

    Open Relays
    Open Mens 4x100m Freestyle Relay
        Anthony Ventra, Steven Nguyen
        Peter Johnston, David Wang    		 (Day 2 - Session 3 - 3:17pm)

    Times should be used as a guide only.

    Good luck to our swimmers at the meet.

    You can follow the team's progress over the weekend at http://www.nswswimming.com.au/.

    See Also
  • 2008 NSW State Open Short Course Championships - Program of Events
  • 2008 NSW State Open Short Course Championships - Qualifying Times
  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Competitor Information

  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Parking Arrangements

    • State Age Short Course Results

    14 August 2008 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    Three swimmers represented Merrylands at last weekend's 2008 NSW State Age Short Course Championships at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

    Anthony Ventra swam 2 new personal best times from his 4 events with new PBs in the 50m Freestyle and 200m Breaststroke, while Rebecca Tuivawa and Amber Johnson were just outside their PBs.

    Congratulations to Amber, Rebecca and Anthony on qualifying for the meet and their results.

    The full results are now available here.

    See Also
  • 2008 NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Results

  • 2008 NSW State Age Short Course Championships Team

    • NSW State Age Short Course Championships

    06 August 2008 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    The 2008 NSW State Age Short Course Championships will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th August, 2008.

    Our club will be represented by 3 swimmers at the meet, competing in 7 individual events.

    Amber Johnson will represent the club at the championships for the first time in 5 years after she last competed at the meet in 2003.
    Anthony Ventra has added both the 50m and 100m Freestyle to his events for this year while Rebecca Tuivawa will represent Merrylands at the championships for the first time.

    Our team will be competing in the following events over the three day meet:

    Anthony Ventra
    14yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 1 - 7:38pm)
    14yrs 200m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 5:01pm)
    14yrs 50m Freestyle (Day 3 - Session 4 - 9:57am)
    14yrs 100m Breaststroke (Day 3 - Session 5 - 4:19pm)
    Rebecca Tuivawa
    12yrs 100m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 2 - 12:16pm)
    12yrs 100m Butterfly (Day 3 - Session 5 - 3:53pm)
    Amber Johnson
    15yrs 100m Backstroke (Day 3 - Session 4 - 11:53am)

    Times should be used as a guide only.

    Congratulations to the 3 swimmers for qualifying and good luck at the meet.

    You can follow the team's progress over the weekend at http://www.nswswimming.com.au/.

    See Also
  • 2008 NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Program of Events
  • 2008 NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Qualifying Times
  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Competitor Information

  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Parking Arrangements

    • Olympic Pool & Pizza Night

    05 August 2008 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    The club is holding a Pool & Pizza Night to celebrate the Olympic Games on Friday, 15th August. The night will be held at Merrylands Swimming Centre from 5pm to approximately 9pm.

    The cost of the night is $10 per person (plus pool entry) and will consist of pool activities, including Water Polo, followed by Pizza and the Olympics on the big screen in the club room.

    All club members and their families are welcome to attend. Don’t forget your swimming gear. Pizza & drinks will be provided.

    RSVP & Payment are due by Wednesday, 13th August, 2008. Payment can be made to Janet Sloane at Swimming Training or forms and payment can be left in the club box in the foyer at Merrylands Pool during opening hours.

    Forms can be downloaded here.


    See Also
  • 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Olympic Pool & Pizza Night Form
  • 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Swimming Championships - Finals Program & Television Coverage
  • Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Website

    • State Age Short Course Entries

    21 July 2008 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    Entries for the 2008 NSW State Age Short Course Championships close today.

    To compete at these championships, you must have achieved the required qualifying time at an approved meet as detailed on the Qualifying Time Information page.

    The entries are to be on Multi-Entry cards which must be completely filled out including the date and place that times were achieved. Entries must also include your registration number.

    For more information on NSW meets, read the Championship Procedures information in the Swim Meets Section.

    No late entries will be accepted.

    See Also
  • 2008 NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Program of Events
  • 2008 NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Qualifying Times
  • Qualifying Time Information

  • Winter Meet Entry Procedures

  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Competitor Information

  • Schedule of Constants

  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Parking Arrangements