Ryder Billing, Dominic Gurciullo, Lara Hercus and Milla Rorato made the trip from Jerilderie for the NSW PSSA Swimming Championships.
Held at Sydney’s Olympic Aquatic Centre, the championships took place on Wednesday, April 2, with the four swimmers competing in a 4x50m mixed relay.
The event on Wednesday was eligible for the small schools with students of 45 or less to compete in.
And, not only did the four young people from St Joseph’s compete at a high level, they went as close to first without being first.
The relay team had clinched second place in the event, falling agonisingly short of first place school, St Brendan’s Ganmain.
Jerilderie still qualify for the next stage of school representative swimming, however.
They will travel to Sydeny Olympic Aquatic Centre this Friday for the NSW Primary Schools Sporting Association Swimming Championships.
The state swimming competition will see hundreds of kids, parents, coaches and staff from all over the state coming together to compete.
While it is difficult to sometimes access these coaches, facilities and then get the finances to be able to compete, the young kids competing, and their families had at least one of those stresses taken care of.
“A thank you must go to the Jerilderie Apex Club and MAKATAK for their generous support to help fund the kids' venture to Sydney, covering travel and accommodation for the four families,” proud parent Eden Hercus said.
“We are truly thankful, costs add up so quickly, and it is wonderful to see the community get behind the children.”
The St Joseph’s relay team will be competing early Friday morning.
If they are able to place in their heat, they will then compete in the event and age group final in the afternoon.
The championships are being streamed live from the Sydney Olympic Aquatic Centre, which can be viewed via the NSW PSSA YouTube page - www.youtube.com/@nswschoolsportunit5270.
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