Records fall at championships

HIGHLIGHTS of last Sunday’s 2023 NSW Jewish Swimming Championships included new winners of both the open men’s and women’s 100m freestyle races, several event records broken, and the holding of the inaugural Peter Michaelson memorial mixed masters 50m freestyle race. Hosted by Maccabi NSW Swim Club in the 25m indoor pool at Des Renford Aquatic Centre in Maroubra, the latter comprised of three heats, and was won by Guy Farrow in 26.52 seconds. Tony Geller was second (30.12 seconds), and Samuel Abeshouse came third (30.65). Club president Anthony Goodridge said Michaelson – who tragically passed away in early February, aged 57 – is deeply missed by all swimmers with Maccabi, and the broader Sydney Jewish community.

“Peter was always very involved with the club, and just six weeks ago, he sent me a text to see how entries were going for this championship, and he had every intention of swimming in it. “This inaugural masters event is in his honour.” Last year’s open men’s 100m free runner-up, 18-year-old Alex Thompson (Cranbrook Aquatics), won that event for the first time last Sunday in a time of 53.73 seconds, while Noah Abeshouse (unattached) came second in 56.27 seconds, and Cody Davis (Maccabi) was third in 56.91 seconds. Thompson said, “It’s always great to come back to this event and see old friends, but it’s also great racing preparation for me for next week’s NSW Open Championship. “Kyron Israelsohn [last year’s winner] wasn’t here this time, so this is the first time I’ve won this title, but I was really happy with my swim.” Cranbrook Aquatics’ Ella Leshetz – a former Maccabi junior – won the open women’s 100 free event for the first time too, clocking 1:02.33. Jenna Marks (1:06.97) was second, and Erin Lederer (1:08.76) was third. Leshetz said “I love these championships because there’s always an amazing atmosphere, and it’s good to see how Jewish swimming is going. “I came second in the 100m free last year, so to win it today felt great, and it was a decent time too. “I trained hard over the summer – up to six or seven times per week – and in this short course 100m format, where you need to get your first turns and push-outs right, I felt I did those very well.”

There were several event records broken on the day. Sierra Miller’s time of 42.20 seconds in the 8 years girls’ 50m butterfly shaved 3.5 seconds off the existing record. Miller also broke a 31-year record by more than 1.5 seconds in the 8 years’ girls 50m backstroke when clocking 44.15 seconds, and she broke a 28-year record with a 38.05 second swim in the 8 years girls’ 50m free. David Schnabl’s time of 30.61 seconds in the 25-39 men’s 50m backstroke broke the record by three seconds. And Awen Hiroti broke an 11 years girls’ 50 free record when touching the wall in 31.59 seconds. The 13-and-over swimmer of the meet was Alex Thompson, and the 12-and-under swimmer of the meet was Awen Hiroti.

Credit AJN