Drawing the biggest applause at the Laurieton Swimming Club’s presentation night on March 29 was an award recipient who didn’t win any races, but won many hearts.
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Eric Millgate earned the prestigious Angie Whalley Triers’ Trier Award for his determination to improve his swimming.
Eric’s mother Selena Ewart said some intensive lessons with swimming instructor Michelle Garvan and the support of the entire swimming club community saw Eric become a more confident swimmer.
“At the start of the season Eric couldn’t swim half a lap of the pool and was terrified of the water,” she said.
“We never thought Eric would swim. He is on the Autism Spectrum. I don’t know how she did it, but Michelle seemed to be able to understand what Eric needed to hear to get him in the water and swimming.
“Swimming Club has been the best thing for Eric. The club members have seen Eric progress from not wanting to go in the water to swimming laps and competing in the club championships. They are always right behind him.”
The pinnacle effort by Eric was competing in the 4x33m medley race at the club championships on March 19. All the club members gathered around Eric’s lane to cheer his final lap for the season.
Other significant awards at the presentation recognised athletic ability and volunteer efforts.
Brooke Mason was named Club Person of the Year for her work on the committee, recording results and marshalling.
Luke Ellis earned the Freddo Frog Award for accurate timekeeping, and his fellow stopwatch-holders were honoured for their efforts volunteering at championships around the district.
Sarah McIntosh took out a swag of awards including Highest Pointscore at Swimming North Coast Championships (multi-class).
Bailey Whitton also went home with an armful of awards including Highest Point score at Swimming North Coast Championships and breaking long-standing records at championships.
Maddi Goodridge earned the Adam Augey Memorial Award for the highest achievement by a Laurieton Club member at representative swimming beyond North Coast level.
Maddi also set a NSW record in 50m breaststroke multi-class for 13 years girls (class S7).Charlotte McIntosh and Mason Crowe were given the junior encouragement trophies.
MAIN AWARDS
OVERALL POINT SCORE WINNER AWARD
Khi Ryder
MOST IMPROVED BEGINNER AWARD
River Barker
MOST IMPROVED JUNIOR AWARD
Eva Dyson
MOST IMPROVED SENIOR AWARD
Claire McIntosh
ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
Mason Crowe
ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
Charlotte McIntosh
ANGIE WHALLEY TRIERS TRIER AWARD
Eric Millgate
SENIOR ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Madelaine Goodridge
CLUB PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD
Brooke Mason
FREDDO FROG AWARD
Luke Ellis
1500M
MASTERS 1500m CHAMPION 2018
Cassie Pensini
SENIOR 1500m CHAMPION 2018
Sarah McIntosh
MASTERS 1500m CHAMPION 2018
Jhett Hobman
SENIORS 1500m CHAMPION 2018
Bailey Whitton
GRADE POINT SCORE WINNERS
A GRADE BREASTSTROKE 2017/18
Bailey Whitton
B GRADE BREASTSTROKE 2017/18
Claire McIntosh
C GRADE BREASTSTROKE 2017/18
Jim Dwyer
D GRADE BREASTSTROKE 2017/18
Eva Dyson
E GRADE BREASTSTROKE 2017/18
Khi Ryder
A GRADE BACKSTROKE 2017/18
Claire McIntosh
B GRADE BACKSTROKE 2017/18
Cassidy Wallace
C GRADE BACKSTROKE 2017/18
Luca Pensini
D GRADE BACKSTROKE 2017/18
Koda Oxenbridge
E GRADE BACKSTROKE 2017/18
Khi Ryder
A GRADE FREESTYLE 2017/18
Cassie Oxenbridge
B GRADE FREESTYLE 2017/18
Jim Dwyer
C GRADE FREESTYLE 2017/18
Ava Ryder
D GRADE FREESTYLE 2017/18
River Barker
E GRADE FREESTYLE 2017/18
Mason Crowe
A GRADE BUTTERFLY 2017/18
Jhett Hobman
B GRADE BUTTERFLY 2017/18
Susie Bell
C GRADE BUTTERFLY 2017/18
3) Cooper Mair
D GRADE BUTTERFLY 2017/18
Eva Dyson
E GRADE BUTTERFLY 2017/18
Charlotte McIntosh
Championships 2018 men
Masters
1. Jhett Hobman
12 yrs
1. Bailey Whitton
2. Kingsley Threlfo
3. Jim Dwyer
11yrs
1. Cooper Mair
2. Bodhi Sawyer
10yrs
1. Blake Ellis
2. Caleb Hinton
9yrs
1. Sam Hannaford
2. Luca Pensini
3. Koda Oxenbridge
4. Eric Millgate
8yrs
1. Billy Stapleton
2. Ned Oxenbridge
7 yrs
1. Zion Cooke
2. Darby Moore
3. River Barker
4. Mason Crowe
6yrs and under
1. Kye Ryder
2. Sunny Stapleton
Multi Class
1. Bernie Moran
Championships 2018 women
Masters
1. Cassie Oxenbridge
2. Cassie Pensini
3.Ashleigh Cooper 43
16yrs
1. Rebecca Ellis
13yrs
1. Sarah McIntosh
12yrs
1. Cassidy Wallace
11yrs
1. Tiarna Huckel
2. Layla Myers Huckel
3. Jessica Kirkwood
10 yrs
1. Valentine Tate Fisher
2. Evangelina Millgate
3. Ava Ryder
4. Jazmin Cooke
9yrs
1. Layla Threlfo
2. Kiara Allport
8yrs 1. Zoe Cooke
2. Summer Waite
3. Mia Ryder
7yrs
1. Amaya Barker
2. Ila Barker
3. Zhali Allport
6yrs and under
1. Marni McCarron
2. Havana Moore
3. Lily Oxenbridge
Multi Class
1 Clare McIntosh
2 Madelaine Goodridge