The National Open Short Course Championship kicked off with a series of impressive performances on November 14 at the Aquatic Centre in Balmain. Marena Martinez of Marlins, Serenity Pantin of Bluefins, and Ornella Walker of Aqua Warriors each secured multiple victories, showcasing their dominance in the pool. Martinez, aged 13, clinched the women’s 11 and over 1500m freestyle with a time of 18:26.45, outpacing Ava Charles and Zahara Anthony. She later triumphed in the 200m individual medley, clocking 2:34.39. Pantin, competing in the U10 girls category, dominated the 200m freestyle with a time of 2:31.73, nearly six minutes ahead of her closest competitor. She also secured victory in the 50m backstroke with a time of 34.27s. Walker, in the girls 11 and over division, won the 100m freestyle in 59.38s and the 50m backstroke in 29.57s. Olympian Dylan Carter also made headlines, winning the boys 11 and over 50m backstroke in 23.07s. The night concluded with Marlins and RWB Aquatics winning the U10 mixed 400m freestyle and 11 and over mixed 400m freestyle relays, respectively. The competition continued on November 15.
Martinez, Pantin, Walker notch double-wins on opening night of Short Course Champs
