HAMILTON Olympic Swimming Club (HOSC) members have covered themselves in glory at the Winter Short Course meet held at Hamilton Indoor Leisure and Aquatic Centre (HILAC) last weekend.

The HOSC holds two meets a year as part of the winter short course events, one in May and one in June, and this second meeting was a huge success with over 120 swimmers converging on the town to compete in events for both girls and boys aged eight to the open age limit.

HOSC had a total of 34 competitors stand on the blocks across all age groups and both sections - all except one had at least one podium finish for the carnival in an outstanding display from the club.

The undoubted star of the meet was Archie Dahl, 13, who smashed the qualifying times in five of his six events and then went on to win all six in the finals too, which gave him the ‘Male Swimmer of the Meet’ award.

Dahl won his 200m individual medley, 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 100m breaststroke, and 50m free stroke finals.

Brennan Macdonald, 13, also had a great meet with three victories and three second place finishes as he won the 50m breaststroke, 50m butterfly and the 200m freestyle, while he finished runner-up in the 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, and the 50m freestyle finals.

The male swimmers didn’t have all the glory as Abigail Henderson, 13, took home wins in the 50m breaststroke, 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly, and 100m breaststroke finals while finishing second in the 50m freestyle and 200m individual medley.

Gemma Kyle, 12, was successful in the 50m breaststroke, 50m butterfly and the 50m backstroke, but she also came runner-up in the 100m breaststroke and third in 50m freestyle finals.

Imogen Wedding, 13, couldn’t be matched in the 100m backstroke, 100m individual medley, 50m backstroke, and 200m backstroke finals while she finished second in the 100m butterfly final to round out a successful meet from an individual perspective.

The Wedding family had double reason to celebrate as Alani Wedding, 11, emulated her older sibling in winning three of her four events; 100m freestyle, 50m backstroke and 200m backstroke finals while also finishing runner-up in the 100m freestyle final.

To round out an outstanding carnival for the home club, HOSC also took out the 12-and-Under Mixed 200m freestyle relay and medley relay, as well as the Mixed 200m medley relay.

“We had an incredible day at HILAC for the second meet of our winter series,” HOSC president Ali Wedding said.

“Racing was fast, and it was great to see our swimmers taking home lots of ribbons after they secured places in events or celebrated by making a new personal best time.

“Thank you to all the swimmers, coaches, helpers, tech officials and sponsors for helping to make the day amazing.

“The swimmers all did so well in their individual events, and the relays were awesome to watch too.

“It was great to see lots of grandparents and other supporters in the grandstand as well.

“Special congratulations to local swimmer, Archie Dahl who was named as the male aggregate winner for scoring the most points over the two meets.”