Sport
19 March, 2026
Piranhas champions a fifth time
ST Arnaud Piranhas finished the season in outstanding style at the District 12 Wimmera Championships with the swimming club claiming the Barrow Shield for the fifth consecutive year.
ST Arnaud Piranhas finished the season in outstanding style at the District 12 Wimmera Championships with the swimming club claiming the Barrow Shield for the fifth consecutive year.
Eleven Piranhas qualified for the championships in Horsham on Sunday, joining a field of 83 competitors from across District 12, including Horsham, Ararat and Warracknabeal for a full program of morning heats and afternoon finals.
Jesse Amos produced a remarkable performance, contesting 14 events for 12 first placings and two seconds.
His dominant campaign saw him crowned 17-29 years age group champion and Open Male Champion. Amos also won the Shane Hauesler Perpetual Trophy for the men’s open 400m freestyle and the prestigious Rose Bowl Trophy for the highest individual aggregate score at the championships.
Heidi Start was equally impressive, competing in 13 events and winning all 13. Her flawless effort earned her the 15-16 years age group champion title and Open Female Champion honours, while she also collected the Eleanor McRae Perpetual Trophy for the women’s 400m freestyle.
Leanne Burke competed strongly in five events for one first, two seconds and one third, while Riley Burke swam seven events for five seconds and one third.
Declan Kay also turned in a strong performance, finishing with two seconds and two thirds from four events, including a personal best by taking 10.10 seconds off his 100m breaststroke time.
Grace McNally continued her improvement, competing in three events for one second and one third and recording a huge 12.13-second personal best in the 50m breaststroke.
Jack McNally swam three events for a third placing, while Leo Kay also competed in four events. Stacey Taylor contested three events for two third placings, while Milla Taylor-Rogers and Finn Wilson each swam five events. Wilson also posted an excellent 5.59-second personal best in the 100m butterfly.
The Piranhas also enjoyed relay success. The mixed 16-and-under freestyle and medley relay teams of Declan Kay, Milla Taylor-Rogers, Finn Wilson and Heidi Start both finished second. In the open relays, Jesse Amos,
Leanne Burke, Stacey Taylor and Riley Burke combined to place third in the freestyle relay and second in the medley relay.
Overall, St Arnaud finished the championships with 26 gold, 15 silver and 10 bronze medals, capping off a dominant day by again securing the Barrow Shield for the standardised club aggregate.
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