A TOP-CLASS team of five Coffs Harbour swimmers who are amongst the state’s best juniors have produced great performances at a recent open water event at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

Off the back of winning the Hat Head 2.5km event earlier that week, Mitchell Hickey swam the 10km event.

He asserted his dominance over the field early in the race and led the entire men’s open water field from the start, winning the event by over 5 minutes.

Lilly Geddes took out the 7.5km event, winning gold in a really strong swim in just her second time competing in the event.

Piper Phillips in her very first 5km swim won the 12 years girls 5km event.

Not only did she win, she won in a time that qualified her to compete at both state and national championships which is a phenomenal achievement.

Not many girls under the age of 13 compete in the 5km event, so to qualify for state and nationals 12 months before you’re eligible to compete is exceptional.

Piper has watched both her brothers compete in open water these last 12 months and has dreamed of being able to compete and excelled when she finally got the opportunity.

Team mate Andrea Thomson also qualified for her first national event, taking out silver in the 13 years girls 5km event in just her second time competing in open water, and her first time competing in the 5km event.

Isaiha Phillips competed in his first 10km event, coming in fourth in a really strong swim behind some very experienced open water swimmers which is a great result given this was his first attempt at the 10km.

The squad’s coach Sarah-Jane Weir praised the performances of her team’s efforts in the open water event in Sydney.

“For our team to walk away with three gold and one silver is just amazing, they all swam incredibly well and their results were exceptional,” she said.

“I’m so incredibly proud of them all and so excited to see them compete at the upcoming National Open Water Championships at the end of the month at Adelaide’s Brighton Beach in South Australia.”

 

By: Aiden BURGESS