Somerset Swimming Report – House and APS Swimming Carnivals

Written by Forrest Butcher, Director of Aquatics

Swimming begins the school sports year and it is always a fast start to the season. Both the Junior and Senior Schools held their House swimming carnivals in week 2 this year. This was then followed by the APS Junior and Senior swimming carnivals held here at Somerset in week 4.

The Junior School House swimming carnival was run on Thursday 6 February. This year’s carnival featured a combined 9 years and 10 years age group for the first time which held through to the APS competition. There was some fast swimming on the day and five records broken. Congratulations to Aksel Pitura (10 years and under) who broke the 100m Freestyle and 50m backstroke record as well as three relay teams – Andrews 11 years girls, Starkey 12 years girls and Andrews 12 years boys teams. Age champions from the day were:

10 years and under – Scarlett Hasselle (girls) and Aksel Pitura (boys)
11 years – Evie Snow (girls) and Edmund Lee (boys)
12 years – Teanna Li (girls) and Kai Edgley (boys)

A big effort from Franklin saw the team take out the aggregate points award for the carnival. Well done!

The Senior School House swimming carnival was run on Friday 7 February. The past few years have seen some very competitive and fast racing and 2025 continued the trend. Five individual students broke records as well as a relay team. Congratulations to record breakers – Cohen Tarrant (15 years) 100m Freestyle and 50m Breaststroke, Leny Grigor (Open) 100m Breaststroke and 100m Butterfly, Kasia Pitura (14 years) 50m Breaststroke, Olympia Pope (17 years and over) 50m Breaststroke, Dylan Aspinall (17 years and over) 50m Butterfly, and Starkey (girls 14 years) Freestyle relay. The age champions from the day were:

12 years – Monet De Bruin (girls) and William Wang (boys)
13 years – Jasmine Teng (girls) and Asha Kowalczuk (boys)
14 years – Kasia Pitura (girls) and Lawrence Lee/Harry Woollven (boys)
15 years – Chalrie Henrison (girls) and Cohen Tarrant (boys)
16 years – Elsa Li (girls) and Leny Grigor (boys)
17 years and over – Holly Hembling (girls) and Ryan Bambach (boys)
Open – Holly Hembling (girls) and Leny Grigor (boys)

This year, it was Laver who won the aggregate points score on the day. Well done!

Following both House swimming carnivals the Somerset Junior and Senior APS swim teams were selected. The APS swimming competition is one of the toughest in the region and a true test of team ability and depth. Both Somerset teams prepared well for the carnivals.

The senior APS swimming carnival was first on Wednesday 19 February. Somerset had finished second overall for the past two years and another strong team had been assembled. Somerset won four age groups on the day – 14 years girls, 16 years boys, 17 years and over boys, and 17 years and over girls. Cohen Tarrant in the 14 years boys was one of only three students on the day to break a record which was a great swim and achievement. Somerset also had three age champions being Kasia Pitura (14 years girls), Leny Grigor (16 years boys) and Ryan Bambach (17 years and over boys). Other students to place in the age championship were Elenor McGrath (3rd
in 14 years girls), Charlie Henrison (2nd in 15 years girls), Cohen Tarrant (3rd in 15 years boys), Martin Hembling (2nd in 16 years boys), and Holly Hembling (2nd in 17 years and over girls). The team was again great on the day and finished a solid second place overall and should be very proud of their efforts. Well done.

The junior APS swimming carnival followed the senior day on Thursday 20 February. With only three age categories on the day, the overall point score would be much tighter than in previous years which proved to be the case. Somerset’s 11 year old girls won their age group showing very good depth from their fast swims on the day. Three Somerset students placed in the age championship being Scarlett Hasselle (3rd in 10 years and under girls), Aksel Pitura (3rd in 10 years and under boys) and Evie Snow (2nd in the 11 years girls). Well done to these swimmers. The overall points score was close this year with Somerset finishing fifth overall and very close to fourth place. This was an improvement from 2024 and hopefully a good sign for the coming years.

Following the APS swimming carnivals, Somerset had 19 swimmers qualify for the South Coast Regional Swimming titles. These swimmers are: Scarlett Hasselle, Holly Hembling, Charlie Henrison, Sasha Henrison, Elenor McGrath, Kasia Pitura, Olympia Pope, Evie Snow, Sophia Tarrant, Jasmine Teng, Dylan Aspinall, Ryan Bambach, Leny Grigor, Hudson Harley, Martin Hembling, Aksel Pitura, Jakub Pitura, Lachlan Talbot, and Cohen Tarrant. Unfortunately due to cyclone Alfred, the trial was cancelled and an online process for entries has been undertaken. Best of luck to our students in gaining selection through the South Coast team to compete in the upcoming School State Swimming Championships later this month.

From Year 9 Classrooms to Campfires: Our Action-Packed Term 1

From the Headmaster

Term One in Year 12: Reflections from our College Captains and Vice Captains

Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day

Shoes and Windows: The Role of the English Classroom in Fostering Empathy in Adolescents

School Funding Explained: What it means for Independent Schools

Finding Strength in Challenge | Year 9 Tackle Camp Cooby

The Spectacular Spettacolo Italian Show

A Heartfelt Thank You for Dot & the Kangaroo JR.

Pi Day 2025 | A Celebration of Numbers, Memory, and Fun!

Lessons from the Storm - Resilience, Gratitude, and Community

Understanding NAPLAN | A Tool for Growth and Learning

Somerset Student Awarded 2025 Gold Coast City Council Junior Mayor

Embracing the Philosophy of Ubuntu in the Junior School for Personal Success and Self-Awareness

Sustainability at Somerset: A Greener Future in Action

Beyond the Classroom: Biology in Action

House Plays Festival 2025 - Two Nights of Theatrical Magic

Reflection on Year 7 Camp

Why the Humanities

Experiential Learning – Exploring the Outdoors, Embracing Sustainability

Navigating the Digital Age: Supporting Healthy Tech Habits for Our Students

Reflections on the Year 12 Welcome Function | A Year of Connection and Belonging

Somerset triathletes shine at QLD School Sport Championships

Mini Farm for a Sustainable Somerset

Safer Internet Day: Together for a Better Internet

Somerset Rowing Wins Bronze at NSW State Championships 2025

GAI and Our Academic Values

From the Headmaster - Welcome and Celebrating the Personal Success of Class of 2024

First Day Moments and Global Play Day Kicks off 2025

Building Each Other Up: Our Journey in Year 8 into 2025

A Warm Welcome to our New Students and Families

Nature Preservation at its Best – Quoll HQ, Service Learning

Somerset Swim Club at State Swimming Championships

Somerset Rowers are State Champions

Spartan Football Tour 2024 to Japan

Somerset Tennis Success at Regional and States

Spartan Triathletes Shine at Australian Super Sprint Championship

Strength and Conditioning and Sporting Excellence at Somerset

Welcome to the Year of the Snake

Somerset Swimming Report – House and APS Swimming Carnivals

More Articles

Somerset Times

Subscribe to our newsletter