The unique Bull Sharks DNA is propelling the swimming club’s “full tilt” title defence at this week’s UniSport Nationals at Sydney’s Olympic Pool.
Bond University swimmers have just come off stellar performances in the Australian Age and Open Swimming Championships held on the Gold Coast last month and have grand ambitions for June’s trials for the World Aquatic Championships.
That hasn’t stopped coaches Chris Mooney and Kyle Samuelson putting together a packed schedule that will see the 16-person team race in 53 events, including seven relays.
“We are definitely going full tilt at it. We cleaned up last year, we won men’s, women’s and were overall champions,” Mooney said.
“I really think we have a team that is the equal of that team.
“That’s not taking anything away from that team, but I feel like we are more balanced and have got all our scholarship athletes competing.
“And we are happy to go away to someone else’s back yard. It is not just a great opportunity to spend more time together, it is also more experience in traveling and competing as a team.’’
The swim team’s success in Perth last year saw Bond University crowned the UniSport Nationals Doug Ellis per capita champion for the ninth time since 2009.
The medals won in Perth may one day be pushed out of crowded trophy cabinets if any of the Bond athletes go on to taste international glory, but Mooney says competing as students was in the Bull Sharks’ DNA.
“I really feel like that is our point of difference,” Mooney said.
“We see ourselves as student athletes and everything we do aims to support that.
“This is part of the student experience, and we take it seriously. We aren’t doing anything in halves. Our training, our academic work - and that includes racing as students at this event.”
The Australia-wide university event may be sandwiched between the two biggest meets on the calendar, but Mooney had no hesitation in sending the strongest available team to Sydney.
“It fits into the calendar perfectly,” he said.
“Last year we hit this event fresher. This time we come in off a lot of work and racing at the nationals.
“And then we come home and we have a month until the trials.’’
Bond team:
Chris Mooney (coach), Emma Doherty, Abigail Schoorl (captain), Isabelle Mason, Mia O’Leary, Madeleine Condren, Mathilda King, Laura Taylor, Joshua Collett, Ben Armbruster, Fergus McLahlan, Flynn Southam, Ky Codd, Marshall Tien, Jett Bedelis, Madeleine Gough, Thomas Hauck.