Head coach of the Maclean Manta Rays Swimming Club Ruth Everuss has praised the performances of several Clarence Valley swimmers who recently competed at the 2025 Veriu NSW Country Championships.

Held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre between February 14-16, the event was attended by some of the states most progressive athletes who were eager to make a splash during one of the main events on the Swimming NSW calendar.  

Ms Everuss said 13 swimmers represented the Maclean Manta Rays Swimming Club and described their attendance and subsequent results in the pool as excellent.

Lily Bright-Taylor achieved two new PBs when she won the girls 15-16 years 200m IM multi class final and the girls 15-16 years 100m backstroke multi class final.

The fifteen-year-old also won the girls 15-16 years 100m breaststroke multi class final, the girls 15-16 years 50m freestyle multi class final, and the girls 15-16 years 100m freestyle multi class final.

Jett Burke broke two PBs when he won the boys 16 years 50m freestyle final and finished second in the boys 16 years 100m freestyle final.

Jett enjoyed further success in the pool winning the boys 16 years 100m backstroke final and the boys 16 years 50m butterfly final and placing third in the boys 16 years 200m butterfly final.

Three new PBs were set by Cody Kratzmann when he finished second in the boys 9 years 50m freestyle final, third in the boys years 10 years and under 100m freestyle final and placed fifth in the boys 9 years 50m butterfly final.

During the remainder of his swimming program, Cody achieved two additional minor placings when he finished third in the boys 9 years 50m backstroke final, and third in the boys 9 years 50m breaststroke final.

Caleb Daykin had a weekend to remember in the pool after he set four new PBs after finishing fifth in the boys 17 years and over 100m butterfly final, seventh in the boys 17 years and over 50m freestyle final, nineth in the boys 17 years and over 100m freestyle final, and 10th in the boys 17 years and over 50m breaststroke final.

Hayden Whyte set a new PBs when he placed third in the boys 15 years 50m backstroke final, fifth in the boys 15 years 100m freestyle final, sixth in the boys 15 years 100m backstroke final, sixth in the boys 15 years 50m freestyle final, and sixth in the boys 15 years 200m backstroke final.

Chase Burke once again demonstrated his stamina by finishing third in the boys 15 years 1500m freestyle final and backed up his consistency with a fifth placing in the boys 15 years 800m freestyle final and the boys 15 years 400m freestyle final.

Three new PBs were achieved by Ian Burgess when he qualified for the upcoming Australian Age Championships after finishing third in the boys 15 years 200m butterfly final, fourth in the boys 15 years 400m IM final, and eighth in the 15 years boys 200m IM final.

Jack Leeson achieved a new PB when he touched the wall in eighth place in the boys 17 years and over 200m freestyle final.

Freya Meade came second in the girls 14 years 50m breaststroke final and set a new PB when she touched the wall in third during the girls 14 years 100m breaststroke final to also qualify for the Australian Age Championships.

Stella Skeels achieved new PBs in both the girls 13  years 50m freestyle final and girls 13 years 50m butterfly final, Bella McMahon Willott set a new PB in the girls 12 years 50m butterfly final, Ben Burgess narrowly missed out on setting a new PB in the boys 13 years 50m freestyle final, and Lottie Wiseman also went close to clocking a new PB after competing in the girls 12 years 50m freestyle final.