The 38-strong Sheldon College Junior TAS swim team travelled to Chandler Aquatic Centre on Wednesday, 15 March to contest the Junior TAS Swimming Carnival.
The students from Years 3 to 6, were both nervous and excited as they travelled on the bus on the way to the pool. Mr Easdown, Head of Junior Sport, tried to motivate them and get them in the right frame of mind by badly singing inspirational songs.
After finishing 5th last year, the team worked really hard in their preparation leading up to the carnival. They committed to weekly sessions as a Team in the pool to work on their relay changes and their team spirit.
From the very first race there was a sense of determination in the students. They were swimming with precise technique and skill. The cheers from the grandstand were deafening and the voices were filled with excitement.
Throughout the day the points difference between Sheldon College, John Paul College, Ormiston College and West Moreton Anglican College were never more than 20 points apart and all the schools knew it would come down to the relays to determine the winner of the day. Enter the Sheldon College 9 year old boys and girls who swam out of their skins to put the result beyond any doubt that Sheldon College would triumph on the day.
The parents and teachers were very excited that this inexperienced team won their first Junior TAS swimming title in such a hotly contested event. Full praise must go to the students who battled so bravely all day.
Results were:
1st 9 year old boys
1st 10 year old girls
1st 11 year old boys
1st 12 year old boys
1st Overall girls
1st Overall boys
Place School Points
1 Sheldon College 353
2 Ormiston College 333
3 West Moreton Anglican College 307
4 John Paul College 296. 50
5 Faith Lutheran College 215. 50
6 Rivermount College 160
Meanwhile, Anders McAlpine broke 3 records; 50m Butterfly; 50m Freestyle and the 50m Backstroke.
Sheldon College now looks forward to defending their titles as 2016 winners of Cross Country and Track and Field later in the year. At the moment Sheldon College hold the title as winners in the Blue division in all three carnivals, Swimming, Cross Country and Track & Field.