A torrential downpour, as the students arrived for Bangalow Public School’s annual swimming carnival, set the scene for an exciting day at Byron Bay’s War Memorial Pool in February.
Swimmers Get wet at BPS Carnival
Some strong performances saw around 30 competitors qualify for the next level of competition, the Brunswick Valley District Championships, held at Petria Thomas Pool, Mullumbimby, the following week.
BPS principal, Tim Edwards, told Heartbeat that he was very proud of the students’ involvement in the carnivals, “not only from the high level of participation and performance in the events, but also from the enthusiastic encouragement of all the swimmers from their class-mates and fellow ‘house’ members.”
Swimming champions for 2010 are: Senior Boys: Michael Krippner; Senior Girls: Tahlia Bourke; 11 years Boys: Louis Spiteri; 11 years Girls: Lily Maxwell; Junior boys: Lachlan Sproul; Junior girls: Olivia Hamill.
Some thrilling events included Olivia Hamill sharing a new record in the Girls 10 Years and under 50m Butterfly, and placing third overall for Junior Girls District Champion; Tahlia Bourke swimming a string of brilliant personal bests to be comfortably announced as Senior Girls District Champion; and Tom Barton winning the 8 years Boys’ 50m freestyle. Tahlia, Olivia and Tom will be joined by Lily Spiteri, Chloe Rudgley, Lachie Sproul and Michael Krippner in representing the district at the next level of competition: the Far North Coast Zone Carnival, to be held at Banora Point. Ross Krippner
Tahlia Bourke’s proud mother, Lyn, adds some background information.
After this great start to the year Tahlia, from Possum Creek, is again in the hunt to represent the North Coast at Sydney in April.
Unfortunately in 2006, at the age of eight, Tahlia lost her father (Rick Bourke) to a brain tumor. Throughout this journey the Bangalow school and community have been very supportive and generous to Tahlia and her family. She has the makings of a great sports star, following the path of her father who played 10 years of first grade football for Cronulla, and her brother Ryan, a former state swimming medalist.
Tahlia is not only a fish in the water but also a talented tennis player. In 2009 she claimed the girl’s 12 and under and senior tennis champion in Bangalow. Whilst competing and training Tahlia still manages to achieve well at school where she is a student leader and vice sports captain. Keep up the good work Tahlia!