Local swimmers Jacob Halili and Sam Kennedy dive in for the start of the Boys 100m Freestyle at Yarrawonga last Sunday.
The annual Yarrawonga Mulwala Swimming Club Open Meet was held on Sunday, attracting swimmers from across Victoria and southern New South Wales.
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As the first district meet of the 2026 season, competitors travelled from as far afield as Canberra, Lara, Geelong, East Gippsland, Pakenham, Melbourne and Wagga, alongside strong representation from local district clubs.
The meet is particularly important for country swimmers, with many using the event as a final competitive opportunity to achieve qualifying times ahead of the upcoming Victorian Country Championships.
It also provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the Yarrawonga Mulwala region, welcoming visiting athletes and families to the town.
Yarrawonga Mulwala swimmers were eager to return to racing following a month-long break from competition for many athletes.
A total of 24 swimmers represented the club, including two who competed for the first time in club colours.
There were several outstanding performances throughout the day, with swimmers racing across all four strokes. Yarrawonga Mulwala athletes recorded an impressive 28 personal best times and collected 12 medals, five gold, four silver and three bronze.
Alex Bridgeman (11) competed in five events, including swimming the 50m butterfly for the first time. She recorded four personal bests in her remaining events, all achieved since last month’s meet, highlighting the rewards of consistent training.
Alex’s improvements included a remarkable 7.62-second personal best in the 200m breaststroke, along with PBs in the 50m breaststroke (1.77 seconds), 50m freestyle (1.42 seconds) and 50m backstroke (0.74 seconds).
Jacob Halili (13) enjoyed a strong return to competition at his first meet since March last year. He recorded three personal best performances, improving by 9.03 seconds in the 100m freestyle, 3.25 seconds in the 50m freestyle and an impressive 15.45 seconds in the 100m backstroke. He also contested the 100m breaststroke for the first time.
Team Yarrawonga Mulwala ready for a big day of racing.
Young swimmer Emma Thomas (8) also impressed, competing in five events and recording two personal bests. She claimed gold medals in both the 50m breaststroke, improving by 1.34 seconds, and the 50m freestyle with a 0.93-second PB, along with additional medals across the meet.
Jack Bourke (16) delivered a consistent performance across five events, recording personal best times in both the 100m freestyle and 100m breaststroke. His efforts were rewarded with silver medals in each event.
A memorable debut came from Thomas Minogue (8), who competed at his first swimming meet. He raced in the boys’ 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke, finishing first in the breaststroke to claim his first-ever gold medal, a terrific achievement.
The meet also showcases the popular SKINS event, which is a fast-paced elimination sprint race, where the slowest two racers are knocked out after each round.
With only short recovery times, the event continues until only two remain for a head-to-head final.
Several Yarrawonga Mulwala swimmers competed, with selection to participate being the fastest eight Freestyle swimmers per age group.
Lara Angwin finished third in the girls 16 years and over. Jackson Maxted and Jack Bourke both finished fourth in their respective age groups.
The Yarrawonga Mulwala Swimming Club would like to thank major sponsor Central Murray Bank for its generous donation towards this year’s Open Meet medals, along with raffle prize donations from Rich Glen and Border Trophies and Laser Designs. The club is grateful for the continued support of local businesses.
Individual results
•Georgina Alexander (8)
Girls 11&U 50m Freestyle – PB 2.01 sec
•Harriet Alexander (10)
Girls 11&U 50m Freestyle – PB 2.07 sec
Girls 11&U 50m Breaststroke – PB 2.15 sec
Girls 11&U 50m Butterfly – PB 0.95 sec
•Finn Angwin (14)
Boys 12&O 100m Freestyle – PB 0.34 sec
Boys 12&O 100m Breaststroke – PB 2.85 sec (Bronze)
•Lara Angwin (16)
Girls 12&O 100m Backstroke – Gold
•Billie Archibald (10)
Girls 11&U 50m Freestyle – PB 1.13 sec
Girls 11&U 50m Backstroke – PB 1.70 sec
Girls 11&U 50m Butterfly – PB 1.37 sec
•Jack Bourke (16)
Boys 12&O 100m Freestyle – PB 0.41 sec (Silver)
Boys 12&O 100m Breaststroke – PB 0.44 sec (Silver)
•Alex Bridgeman (11)
Girls 11&U 50m Freestyle – PB 1.42 sec
Girls 11&U 50m Breaststroke – PB 1.77 sec
Girls 11&U 50m Backstroke – PB 0.74 sec
Mixed 200m Breaststroke – PB 7.62 sec
•Darcy Cox (18)
Boys 12&O 100m Backstroke – Silver
•Flynn Cox (12)
Mixed 200m IM – PB 6.00 sec (Country qualifying time)
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