Taking on nation's best, in the West

Sixteen swimmers from four clubs in the Moreton Bay Region, are today south of Perth at the Australian Open Water Championships.

The sheltered bay at Brusselton, with its iconic 2km wooden jetty, is hosting the first national swimming titles of 2023, through to Saturday.

Genesis (Bray Park) has seven swimmers listed among the entrants, Grace (Rothwell) has five, Albany Creek three and Redcliffe Leagues one.

Bailey and Madisyn Armstrong, who trained at Burpengary but are entered as USC Spartans, race today in the Open 10kms – the only Olympic event on the program.

The men’s and women’s championships are the first step in the qualification process for a place on the Australian Dolphins team at the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Bailey, 24, was second in the men’s 10km and third in the 5km at last year’s national titles last year in Adelaide. Madisyn, 23, was sixth over 5km and sixth in the 10km.

Genesis Swimming Club:

Olivia Gittings – age 17, Girls’ 16-17 Years 7.5km and 5km

Sommer Smith - age 17, Girls’ 16-17 Years 7.5km and 5km

Jacobus Liebenberg - age 17, Boys’ 16-17 Years 5km

Robert Solterman - age 19, Boys’ 18-19 Years 5km

Mia Taylor - age 16, Girls’ 16-17 Years 5km

Lauren Whalley - age 17, Girls’ 16-17 Years 5km

Mia Ogilvie-Swan - age 16, Girls' 16-17 Years 5km

Grace Swimming:

Alia Shaw - age 15, Girls’ 14-15 Years 5km

Sam Baker - age 15, Boys’ 14-15 Years 5km

Joshua Mandryk - age 14, Boys’ 14-15 Years 5km

Samantha Brown - age 15, Girls' 14-15 Years 5km

Lily Smith - age 18, Girls’ 18-19 Years 5km

Feature picture: Alia Shaw, Josh Mandryk, Samantha Brown, Sam Baker, and Lily Smith

Albany Creek Swimming Club:

Cody Robinson - age 15, Boys’ 14-15 Years 5km

Sophie Hebron - age 14, Girls’ 14-15 Years 5km

Jordi McHugh - age 14, Girls’ 14-15 Years 5km

Redcliffe Leagues Swimming Club:

Rylee Smith - age 15, Girls’ 14-15 Years 5km

USC Spartans:

Bailey Armstrong - age 24, Men’s Open 10km and Open 5km

Madisyn Armstrong - age 23, Women’s Open 10km and Open 5km