National test for local duo

Southern Cross swimmer Barry Pope made one final and clocked a personal best time at the Australian Age Championships on the Gold Coast last week.

Pope, in his second age championships, made the 15 Year Boys’ 50m butterfly B final clocking 26.45 seconds for 17^th place, which he improved to 16^th in the final.

He also had a personal best of 56.4 seconds in the 100m freestyle, finished the 50m freestyle in 25.47 seconds and recorded 1:00.59 minutes in the 100m butterfly.

Pope is pictured above and coached by Jayden Hadler, of Ripple Swim, who still holds the national 15 Years Boys 50m and 100m butterfly records from 2009.

Club colleague Amelie Hoefel qualified for her first age championships despite missing several months through injury.

She clocked 36.7 seconds for her 15 Years Girls’ 50m breaststroke, just 0.35 seconds outside her personal best a mistimed finish to the wall.

The two students of Redcliffe State High School now preparing for their club championships and then the short course season.