In the swim

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NSW Maccabi Swimming Club will reach an all-time high with eight individual competitors qualifying for the State Age Swimming Championships in January. 

Back: Alon Pajor, Jared Elbourne, Judd Katz Mid: Josh Zwi, Noah Blumberg Front: Sam Penkin, Gabi Goodridge, Jade Berson Absent from photo: Laila Reuven

It doubles the previous best representation by the club, with even more growth expected down the track.

Jade Berson, 12, became the latest qualifier for the prestigious meet with a dynamic 50m freestyle last weekend.  She joins Noah Blumberg, Laila Reuven and Gabi Goodridge as State debutants alongside ‘veterans’ Jared Elbourne, Judd Katz, Alon Pajor and Josh Zwi.

And eight will become nine during the meet with Sam Penkin joining Elbourne, Katz and Pajor to form a dynamic 14yrs boys relay team.

It’s a far cry from 2013 when Pajor and Zwi became the club’s first State swimmers in 30 years.  And just as easily as two turned into four, and then eight, club coach Anthony Goodridge believes the numbers will swell again in 2017: “There are quite a few of our swimmers who narrowly missed qualifying this year.  Sam (Penkin) is one and I know he’s determined to improve more over the next 12 months” said Goodridge “Then we’ve got a big group of younger kids who are just now starting to scratch the surface of their potential, it’s exciting for us.”

For Zwi though it’s his last turn as an “age-grouper.”  The 18-yr-old will race exclusively as an open swimmer after his birthday next September.

As a warm-up, four of the swimmers are heading to Melbourne for the Victorian Age Championships which start this weekend.

And even if you are not State ready, all abilities and ages can sign up for the Jewish Champs, to be held on the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 14 at the Des Renford pool in Maroubra.

Entries are now open at http://www.maccabi.com.au/NSW/NSW_Swimming/Page/3404/NSW-Jewish-Championships/2016-Jewish-Championships.cfm