SWAN Hill Specialist School continues to punch above its weight on the big stage, with four of its students competing at the recent School Sport Victoria State Swimming Championships.
Zac Edwards, 12, Darryl Michaels, 15, Shakaya Egan, 17, and Jordan Baker, 18, qualified for the state titles after winning at both their school and regional titles.
Edwards went on to claim the gold medal in the 12 to 15-year-old backstroke event at the State Championships, and claimed silver in the freestyle event.
Teammates Egan and Michaels also won the silver medal in their respective freestyle events, to help fill the school’s trophy cabinet.
It was a fantastic achievement and just reward for the students, according to Swan Hill Specialist School sport co-ordinator Virginia Allen, who praised their desire to be their best in front of a big crowd.
“We’re all just super proud of their efforts and what they’ve all been able to achieve,” Allen said.
“We pride our school on giving every student the opportunity to compete at regional and state level, because you just never know until you give it a go really.
“I’m just really appreciative that the school values the School Sport Victoria pathway, and that the kids are all prepared to give it a go.”
Allen said going against schools much bigger right across the state, the impressive results were further proof of the positive aspects of the school’s sport and PE program.
“I think that if we keep raising the bar and have something for the kids to aim to and work towards, then I feel that’s a big positive,” Allen said.
“It gives not just the sport and PE program a purpose, but personally it gives me satisfaction that we’re doing things right, because the kids are achieving amazing results such as medalling at state championships.”
