Sport
4 February, 2026
Heidi sizzles on sweltering day with 10 blue ribbons
The club welcoming 89 swimmers from St Arnaud, Horsham, Ararat, Warracknabeal and Kerang.
SWIMMERS were back in the competitive pool on Saturday when St Arnaud Piranhas hosted their their first meet of the season.
The club welcoming 89 swimmers from St Arnaud, Horsham, Ararat, Warracknabeal and Kerang.
A total of 25 Piranhas competed, with seven taking to the blocks for their first-ever swim meet — Will Torney, Gracie Medlyn, Chad Polkinghorne, Eddie Sanderson, Will Sanderson, Harry Kirk and Alice Batters — all performing with enthusiasm in the hot conditions.
Eliza Scarce enjoyed a standout meet, taking home five firsts and a second while Heidi Start recorded an exceptional clean sweep — 10 events, 10 firsts — one of the club’s best performances of the day.
The Piranhas enjoyed a strong spread of results across all age groups.
Among the outstanding individual performances were:
Jesse Amos claimed three 1st placings and one 2nd, continuing his strong early-season form.
Alice Batters, one of the club’s keen new swimmers, impressed in her first-ever 50m freestyle.
Leanne Burke returned a consistent card with two 1sts, one 2nd and one 3rd.
Riley Burke picked up one 1st and two 2nds, while Belinda Burke added a 3rd.
Noah Hando contested three events, showing promising versatility.
Declan Kay produced another excellent meet with two 1sts, two 2nds and one 3rd.
Leo Kay competed solidly across four events.
Harry Kirk, another talented newcomer, impressed with placings in all three of his events — one 2nd and two 3rds.
Austin Lowe dominated with three 1st placings.
Lewis Lowe had a strong day with two 1sts, two 2nds and one 3rd.
Bonnie McNally secured a 1st, while Grace McNally competed in four events, picking up a 2nd.
Jack McNally’s day included two 2nds, one 3rd, and notably two PBs of six seconds.
Maddie McNally collected one 1st and one 2nd.
Gracie Medlyn debuted in the 50m breaststroke, a fantastic first effort.
Chad Polkinghorne, excited through the day, completed three events in his first meet.
Eddie Sanderson and Will Sanderson, both new to competition, completed three and two events respectively. Stacey Taylor added one 2nd and two 3rds, while Milla Taylor-Rogers claimed four 3rds and a 2nd.
Will Torney, another enthusiastic newcomer, swam in two events.
Relay successes for the Piranhas were:
Mixed Open Freestyle Relay -
A Team (Heidi, Austin, Riley and Jesse) — 1st.
B Team (Lewis, Leanne, Noah and Finn) — 3rd.
Mixed 15 & Under Freestyle Relay: Lewis, Eliza, Declan and Finn - 1st .
Mixed 15 & Under Medley Relay -
Declan, Milla, Finn and Noah - 1st.
Mixed Open Medley Relay - A Team (Heidi, Austin, Riley and Lewis) — 1st. B Team (Belinda, Stacey, Leanne and Eliza) — 3rd
The Piranhas will now travel to Ararat for their next meet before returning home for the second St Arnaud event of the season.
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