10/08/2026
SHORT COURSE COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – WHAT A WEEKEND!
What a fantastic weekend of racing for our Shepparton swimmers at the Short Course Country Championships in Traralgon.
There were plenty of PBs, medals and qualifying times, but just as importantly, there were some great individual achievements and some fantastic team moments throughout the weekend.
NICO
Nico had a huge weekend, competing in 5 individual events and 2 Para/Able-Bodied relays, while also taking on an important role supporting and coaching our Abilities swimmers.
Nico has taken on a much bigger coaching role within our club this year, particularly with our Abilities swimmers, while balancing his own swimming and Year 11 studies.
It was fantastic to see that hard work and support rewarded, with the team taking 2nd place in the Freestyle Relay – a result that was a real testament to the encouragement, support and commitment Nico gives to his fellow swimmers.
We are very proud of what Nico continues to contribute to our club, not only as a swimmer, but as a young coach and teammate.
SOPHIE
Sophie had a fantastic weekend, producing some very impressive PBs.
One of the biggest highlights was her 50m Freestyle, where she took an incredible 10 seconds off her previous best, just shy of the National time. That improvement certainly made a difference when Sophie joined her teammates in the relay, helping the team race to a fantastic silver medal.
Sophie also produced another huge PB in the 100m Freestyle, taking 15 seconds off her previous best.
Sophie is now qualified for both Open and Age State Championships, and we are looking forward to seeing what she can do at these events.
INDI
What a way to experience your first Country Championships!
Competing at her first Short Course Country Championships, Indi produced a PB in every individual event she raced.
She also had the opportunity to contribute to the relay team's silver, gaining some valuable championship racing experience along the way.
A fantastic first Country Championships, Indi!
AARON
Aaron had a fantastic weekend, producing PBs in 6 of his 8 individual events.
One of the biggest highlights was achieving a goal he had been working towards – qualifying for the 200m Breaststroke at State Open Championships, taking 2.02 seconds off his previous best in the process.
And there was a bonus! Aaron also produced a fantastic 200m Individual Medley, taking 3.75 seconds off his PB and achieving another State Open qualifying time.
Goal achieved, with a bonus qualification thrown in!
BRANDEN
Branden had a very busy weekend, racing 9 individual events, producing 5 PBs and winning 3 silver medals and a Bronze in 4 events.
In only his third time racing the 400m Freestyle Short Course, Branden continued to make great progress, taking another 4.93 seconds off his PB.
His 200m Breaststroke was another encouraging swim and has him looking in a good position heading towards Nationals, where he will have the benefit of a full taper.
Perhaps his most impressive swim of the weekend came in the 200m Individual Medley.
It was Branden's 7th event of the weekend and his first race of the final session. Racing from lane 8 in the second-last heat, he produced a huge 9.38-second PB, earning a silver medal and moving to just 0.5 seconds outside the National qualifying time.
With another two events still to race after the IM, it was a fantastic result in the middle of a very demanding nine-event program.
KOBE
Kobe raced in 4 individual events and posted some fantastic improvements.
A big highlight was his Backstroke, where he took 5.73 seconds off his PB, while he also produced a great swim in the 100m Freestyle, dropping another 3.14 seconds.
Kobe was also an integral part of the silver medal-winning Freestyle Relay team. Swimming the second leg, he produced an outstanding relay swim, with his split coming in well under his individual 50m Freestyle time, helping put the team in a great position.
Congratulations to all six of our swimmers.
There is so much to celebrate from this weekend – PBs, medals, State qualifying times, first-time experiences, great relay performances and swimmers supporting each other both in and out of the pool.
Most importantly, we are incredibly proud of the way our swimmers represented Shepparton Swimming Club and supported one another throughout the weekend.
Well done team!
