Back from left: Haileybury Waterlions Roy Pearce, Ken Welsh, Gavin Scott, Sam Nixon and David Mummery, and front, Kelly Stubbins, Laura Harney and Alexandra Woodlock all impressed at the Victorian Short Course Open Championships on the weekend.By Marc McGowan
THE Haileybury Waterlions were typically successful at the Victorian Short Course Open Championships on the weekend, with eight individual state titles achieved by three different swimmers.
Commonwealth Games relay gold medallist Kelly Stubbins, 23, was the pick of the bunch with an astonishing five gold medals.
The freestyle queen won every distance in her specialty stroke from the 50 metres to the 400m, as well as pocketing victory in the 100m backstroke.
For good measure, the star Waterlion won bronze in the 50m backstroke and just missed a medal in placing fourth in the 200m individual medley to spearhead Haileybury’s charge into fourth spot overall.
The other Victorian champions were Laura Harney, 17, whose triumphs in the 800m and 1500m freestyle handed the Waterlions a clean sweep of the discipline on the women’s side, and Ken Welsh, 24, who claimed the men’s 100m freestyle event.
Haileybury head coach Wayne Lawes, who has established a strong reputation as a middle distance mentor, was delighted with Stubbins’ and Harney’s dominance of the freestyle events.
“It shows the flexibility and diversification in our program,” he said.
“We have a good work ethic and it’s a credit to the group and we take pride in that rather than everyone else who avoids that.
“That’s what we need to do to get our culture back to where Australia used to be in women’s distance swimming, when we had Tracey Wickham, Michelle Ford and Janelle Elford.”
Haileybury’s young brigade was just as prominent, with Target 2010 Development Squad members David Mummery, 16, Alexandra Woodlock, 15, and Gavin Scott, 14, shining in their races.
Others to impress were Roy Pearce, 17, Sam Nixon, 15, and 14-year-old sensations Helena Shaw and Jayde Mottram.
The Waterlions’ performance was particularly noteworthy considering former outstanding prospect Kristen Wilson, 18, was not a part of the team after announcing her retirement this year due to a severe ankle injury and increased school commitments.
Lawes believes this is a huge loss for the club and the sport.
“Kristen never reached her potential, which is a shame,” he said.
“It’s sad because she could have represented Australia.”
Lawes lauded his remaining troops’ display, particularly the efforts of three of his young guns.
“There were quite a few good swims, but I thought Sam Nixon’s 100m freestyle stood out,” he said.
“David Mummery, Sam Nixon and Gavin Scott all took mammoth amounts off their PBs (personal bests), so it is probably hard to distinguish between those three.”
The Australian Short Course Open Championships run from 29 August to 2 September at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
Stubbins, Harney, Woodlock, Welsh, Pearce and Nixon will represent the Waterlions, but the biggest focus will be on whether Stubbins can regain her spot in the national squad.
“Kelly swam unbelievably. If she swims up to her potential she can do it,” Lawes said.
“The weekend was a great stepping stone.
“Things are looking good and this is the best and most consistent she’s been.”
