Throssell Earns WA Swimmer of the Year Award
Commonwealth Games champion Brianna Throssell was crowned the 2018 WA Swimmer of the Year on Saturday night following an outstanding representative campaign.
At just 22 years of age, Throssell earned a third career Lyn McClements medal, off the back of an impressive showing at April’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast that netted her two medals from three finals appearances.
Throssell won gold at those championships as a member of the Australian women’s 4x200m freestyle relay squad, whilst she also picked up an individual bronze medal in the final of the 100m fly.
In receiving the award, Throssell edged out fellow Commonwealth Games representatives; Holly Barratt, Blair Evans, Zac Incerti and George Harley.
Throssell’s coach Michael Palfery was rewarded for his role in guiding two athletes on to the Australian Commonwealth Games team by picking up the Coach of the Year title. He claimed the prize ahead of Bud McAllister and Matt Magee, who were also successful in training talent onto the Dolphins team for the Gold Coast Games.
Katherine Downie earned the title of Multi-Class Swimmer of the Year, following her second Commonwealth Games appearance for Australia. The popular athlete won bronze in the SM10 200m Individual Medley final.
In a strong night for City of Perth, the club also toasted Simon Huitenga as the Open Water Swimmer of the Year. It was the second consecutive title for Huitenga.
The evening’s celebrations also showcased a deserving nod to distinguished WA talent Travis Nederpelt, who became the 58th member of the Swimming WA Hall of Fame. Nederpelt is a dual Olympian and won a swag of national championship medals over a long career.