Excitement mounts for short course meet

Albany swimmers will be tested against the best short course competitors in the State when 14 clubs converge at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre this weekend for the annual Albany Short Course Carnival.

A big contingent of Albany Swim Club members will hit the pool across an action-packed two days of competition as they chase vital State qualifying times and final victories.

The event will attract more than 150 competitors from 14 different clubs, including major metropolitan clubs Riverside, Riverton, Tuart Hill and UWA West Coast.

Albany Swim Club will have 46 swimmers in the pool, with six of those in action at a major competition for the first time and the youngest just eight years old.

Mt Barker will also have representatives among the 169 swimmers, while regional centres Esperance and Kalgoorlie will also attend.

A total of 83 events are planned, including relay races.

Traditionally this is a meet at which Albany performs strongly, winning almost 100 medals last year, with Mitchell Williams crowned senior swimmer of the meet.

There will also be a clinic held on Monday morning to give local swimmers the opportunity to upskill and to train with visiting competitors.

ASC head coach Marshall McAleese said it was going to be an exciting weekend of competition.

“Its good to have such high quality competition for our local swimmers to race against,” he said.

“There will be State record-holders and national medallists in the pool.

“A lot of time and effort from the club has gone into preparations for the weekend and it looks like being a very successful and enjoyable meet.”

Racing starts at noon on Saturday and at 9am on Sunday.