State News

A record 166 entrants competed at the 62nd NSW Jewish Swimming Championships on Sunday. Whilst the weather was hot, the water was perfect for competition. Swimmers ranged from 5 years to 40 plus and all were eager to gain points to become age champion and overall points score champion of the day. Swimmers came from all over Sydney as well as the Coffs Coast, Wollongong and as far as Melbourne to compete, meet old friends, forge new friendships and have an afternoon of fun at the Des Renford Aquatic Centre in Maroubra.

Thanks to Charlestons Fine Art, our major sponsor, and our other generous sponsors Shoes Unlimited, Outliving, Satill & Miller, Ryan and Lisa Glick, The Goodridge Swim School, Star Car Wash and the Classic Safari Company, the meet program featuring Zac Freuden on the cover (hailing from the Coffs Coast) was spectacularly produced and well received by all in attendance.

There were many highlights throughout the course of the day with a number of records broken. But it was the open 100m freestyle events for men and women that drew the crowds to their feet as they were contested by a great number of swimmers, all keen to win the prestigious AJN Cup and cash prizes for the top 3 places. Joshua Blumberg took home top spot and the $100 prize in the mens division and Jenna Rose Gold claimed the womens division. Second place and winners of $75 in prize money went to Kyron Israelsohn and Mikaela Rifkin, while third place and $50 in prize money went to Daniel Rifkin and Eden Glover.

The first record break of the day was swum by Zac Freuden, who broke the 14 year old boys record in 50m butterfly and he was shortly followed by Kyron Israelsohn who broke the 15 year old boys 50m butterfly record. It was Jenna Rose Gold's turn next, when she proudly broke the 17 – 24 yrs 50m butterfly record, followed by Daniel Rifkin breaking the mens 25-39 years 50m butterfly record. The final butterfly record was broken by Amanda Penkin in the women’s 40 and over with an amazing swim of 38.73 seconds.

Our youngest record breakers of the day were Jonathan Cass, who at 5 years of age broke the 5 year old 25m breaststroke record and Eden Glover, breaking the 12 year girls 50m backstroke record.

Swimmers are awarded points throughout the day and the 2012 12-years and under overall points score champion was Eden Glover, while the 2012 13-years and over overall points score champion was Mikaela Rifkin. These two swimmers are a delight to watch in the water and I wish them further success throughout the current swimming season.

Many thanks goes to the fantastic Maccabi Amateur Swimming Club committee comprising of Amanda Penkin, Anthony Goodridge, Bronwyn Elbourne, Mike Glick, and David Grosz who together with our many volunteers on the day, showed that no matter how small, teamwork and dedication proved our club most proficient in hosting such a large meet so smoothly and efficiently making the day most enjoyable for all in attendance.

Full results of the day can be found on our website: www.maccabi.com.au/nsw/swimming

Our congratulations go to all the record breakers, winners, place getters and in fact everyone for getting in the water and having a go. The comraderie amongst the swimmers and families in the stands was outstanding and community spirit was definitely the overall winner of the day. Remember, swimming is fun, swimming is for everyone!