RISING swimming star Danika Garner has added another gold medal to her growing collection at the Victorian Country Short Course Championships in Wangaratta.
The 13-year-old was first to the finish line in the 12-13 girls’ 100m butterfly, while also winning bronze medals in the 100m and 200m freestyle.
The 10 athletes from Mildura Swimming Club secured their best all-round team result at a country championships in more than a decade, with a huge 28 personal best times recorded in 37 individual swims.
Garner’s performances at the opening major event of the 2023-24 season, which included five PBs of her own, could have her set up for a strong campaign to come.
“Danika swam really well this weekend,” coach Josh Barila said.
“I think everyone from our team was highly ranked but Danika, I believe, was top five in all of her events.
“She was definitely chasing personal best times but I think she surprised even herself with some of her performances.
“Danika is a very determined swimmer and person.
“When she has a goal in mind she works extremely hard to achieve it.
“She’s been with our club for about three years and to see where she was then to where she is now is great.”
While no other medals were won by Mildura swimmers, there were a mountain of personal best times from Danika and Riley Garner (five each), Jasmin Allen, Elsie Cock, Joaquin Leal-Kaiser (four each), Johnny Guthrie, Mercedes Leal-Kaiser (two each), Zoe Burford and Clare Nokes (one each).
It was also a first-time swim with Mildura at the event for the Leal-Kaisers, Cock, Guthrie, Burford and Nokes.
The next major event on the calendar is the 2023 Victorian Age Short Course Championships on September 1 to 3 in Melbourne.
