As a coach, I received a gift on this day. In our first visit as an organized group at this carnival, we witnessed a gem, in terms of performance and just plain good times.

We had eleven swimmers representing our squad from Botany. Taylor Monk, Nicholas Gannon, Maddy Barnett, Blake Farrelly, Luke and Jacob Burke, Kayla Noy, Bazza Horrey, Melissa Riddoch, Abby Barnes, and Nicky Levick all made the early morning journey to Homebush.

From these 11 individuals, came 10 personal best swims. This is an astonishing figure in any sport, and is a direct reflection of how much work our kids are putting into training week in and week out.

This carnival was attended by all of the public primary schools in the Sydney East Region. An area ranging from as far south as Sutherland to Balmain in the North, to Homebush in the West. Quite a region, with lots of swimming talent.

We were proud just to be able to attend and watch our kids have a go.

Specifically remarkable swims were Kayla Noy smashing the 40 seconds barrier with a 37.58; also reaching 37 were Jacob Burke and Abby Barnes. All three setting their own best marks. ‘Little Bear’ Melissa Riddoch showing her butterfly prowess, breaking the 50 second barrier was great to see.

Both Luke Burke and Blake Farrelly tantalizingly close to breaking the 40 second hurdle with great 50 Freestyle performances.

The event of the day, bringing multiple tears of joy, was put in by Nicholas Gannon in his freestyle performance. As an 8 year old at his first regionals, Nic turned in our sole finals placing. After finishing with a second place position in the Heats, we were all ready for the Final Championship Heat.

From lane 5, Nicholas dove in, put his head down and marched toward the finishing wall. All there were enthralled in the action as he and the other 9 young boys all charged to the finish. As they all touched the wall, it was required to check the digital clock display as the naked eye could not distinguish a winner.

Next to ‘Gannon’ and the board read 38.92 and a “1” signifying first place and Regional Champion. Second place finishing just 1/100 of a second behind. What a race and what a spectacle to have witnessed. Thanks, Charlie, we’ll all remember that one for a while.