Somerset College Swimmers Make a Splash at the School Swimming Championships

The 2025 School Swimming Championships, held in Brisbane from March 23-28, saw Somerset College swimmers showcasing their incredible talent and determination. With fierce competition from schools across the state, our athletes made an undeniable impact in both the Junior and Senior School events.

The week-long competition kicked off with the Junior School events, where our younger swimmers displayed impressive speed and skill. As the championships progressed into the Senior School events, Somerset’s seasoned swimmers continued to dominate the pool, earning top spots and pushing the limits of their abilities. 

From individual events to relay races, our athletes gave it their all, representing Somerset College with pride and determination. The atmosphere was electric, with thrilling races, personal bests, and unforgettable moments.

Junior School Championships
The Junior School Championships were held 23-25 March. The meet was highlighted by Somerset Swim Club member (and South Coast boys captain) Noah Cambell, who won the 10-12 years 400m Freestyle, was second in the 12 years 200m Freestyle, and placed 9th in the 100m Freestyle, 200m IM and 100m Butterfly. Noah had an outstanding meet. 

• Somerset student Aksel Pitura had a breakthrough performance and a big personal best, placing 5th in the 10 years 100m Butterfly.
• Somerset Swim Club members Grace Grigg (11 years girls) placed 8th in the 50m Butterfly, 4th in the 200m Freestyle, and 5th in the 200m IM.
• Isla Anderson (12 years girls) placed 4th in the 200m Breaststroke.
• Meggie De Chhimba (12 years girls) placed 5th in the 200m Breaststroke, 6th in the 100m Breaststroke, and 7th in the 50m Breaststroke. 

Somerset’s other Southcoast representatives at the Championships were Ayrton Hobday and Evie Snow. Well done, swimmers.

Senior School Championships
The Senior School Championships followed the Juniors and ran from 26-28 March. It featured 35 Somerset swim club members and students, an amazing number within the Southcoast Team. From this large and talented group, the following were individual State Champions:

• Liyng Wong (13 girls 200m Butterfly)
• Jasmine Teng (13 girls 400m Freestyle)
• Makyra Melo (girls 13 years 50m Breaststroke)
• Braxtyn Truman (boys 13 years 100m Butterfly, 200m Butterfly, 200m Freestyle, and 400m Freestyle)
• Kasia Pitura (girls 14 years 100m and 200m Breaststroke)
• Levi Anderson (boys 14 years 50m Breaststroke)
• Chelsea Strachan (girls 15 years 100m and 200m Breaststroke)
• Summer Johnston (girls 15 years 100m Freestyle)
• Danny Baxter (boys 15 years 100m Butterfly, 400m IM, and 200m IM)
• Cohen Tarrant (boys 15 years 50m, 100m, and 200m Breaststroke)
• Jessica Melo (girls 16 years 50m, 100m and 200m Backstroke)
• Lacey Strachan (girls 16 years 100m and 200m Breaststroke, 200m and 400m IM)
• Zahri Jarrett (girls 16 years 100m and 200m Freestyle)
• Leny Grigor (boys 16 years 200 and 400m IM, 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke)
• Olympia Pope (girls 17-19 years 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke)
• Ryan Bambach (boys 17-19 years 200m IM and 100m and 200m Breaststroke)

A number of these swimmers also broke records in winning their events.

In addition to these School State Champions, the following Somerset swimmers were medallists:

• Mia Drury (13 girls 400m Freestyle)
• Sophia Tarrant (13 girls 50m and 100m Breaststroke)
• Matilda Grimson (girls 16 years 200m Backstroke)
• Holly Hembling (girls 17-19 years 50m Freestyle and 50m Breaststroke)
• Sasha Henrison (girls 17-19 years 50m Freestyle).

The following swimmers finished in the top 10 in their main events:

• Knox Anderson (boys 13 years)
• Lachlan Talbot (boys 13 years)
• Lihwa Wong (girls 14 years)
• Elanor McGrath (girls 14 years)
• Rafael Ileana (boys 14 years)
• Charlie Henrison (girls 15 years)
• Emmerson Nunn (girls 16 years)
• Martin Hembling (boys 16 years)
• Cady Daniels (girls 17-19 years)
• Cooper Anderson (boys 17-19 years).

From the group of Somerset swimmers who competed at the senior school championships, the following swimmers were selected for the Queensland School Swimming Team to compete at the Nationals later this year: 

• Makyra Melo
• Braxtyn Truman
• Kasia Pitura
• Levi Anderson
• Chelsea Strachan
• Summer Johnston
• Danny Baxter
• Cohen Tarrant
• Jessica Melo
• Lacey Strachan
• Zahri Jarrett
• Leny Grigor
• Holly Hembling
• Olympia Pope
• Sasha Henrison
• Ryan Bambach

Congratulations to the swimmers who made the Queensland Team and to all Somerset swimmers who performed well at the State School Swimming Championships.