The revival of the medley pentathlon was a resounding success and organisers hope that it will return next year.
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After a five-year hiatus from the Tasmanian swimming calendar, the Launceston Aquatic Club decided the event needed to make a comeback to motivate swimmers at the end of the winter short-course season.
From young, first-time competitors, to multiple state champions like Jardene Ralph and Hugh Dolle, the meet attracted a broad spectrum of entrants from around the state.
Some 138 athletes took the plunge, against a backdrop of pounding uptempo music, at Launceston Aquatic Centre.
Swimmers came from the Launceston area (South Esk, Launceston Aquatic and Riverside); the North-West (Burnie, Latrobe and Cradle Coast); and the South (Hobart Aquatic, HC and Sandy Bay).
LAC president Amanda Muldoon was delighted with the pentathlon's success.
"The highlight was very much the enjoyment everyone had with the carnival-like atmosphere: swimmers and officials and families," she said.
"The music had everyone dancing at the side of the pool and the swimmers were very relaxed, with many of them produced personal best times. More than 20 experienced their first swim meet. The medley pentathlon format allowed a shake-up of results not dependent on any one race, with some surprising winners."
For a chance to win a prize, swimmers were encouraged to race in all events: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and the individual medley with times added together to find the winner.
Muldoon thanked swimmers and their families, time keepers, sponsors and technical officials, including referee Fiona Stewart and FINA-accredited Denise McLaughlin.
"We have had lots of support from the swimming community and we would like to run the event every year to celebrate the end of the winter season," she said.
"Lots of the older swimmers and going away to represent Tasmanian at the state teams' event in Canberra in October. The pentathlon helps to keep everyone interested in training. They are loving the pentathlon, and loving swimming."
WINNERS - Boys: 9 and under - Ethan Wurzer (aged 8) HA; 10 years - William Botterill-James HC; 11 years - Eli Jones HC; 12 years - Atlan Devin SE; 13 years - Ethan Jones HC; 14 years - Noah Kamprad HA; 15 years - Hugh Dolle SE; 16 +years - Jonty Pretorius SE.
Girls: 9 and under - Georgia Freeman (aged 8) LAC; 10 years - Olive Smith SBSC; 11 years - Isabella Muldoon LAC; 12 years - Bonnie Smith SBSC; 13 years - Roisin Goodsall SE; 14 years - Olivia Nichols HA; 15 years - Rebecca MacDonald HC; 16+ years - Jardene Ralph SBSC.