Sports
Against the tide
By Cpl Kristen Pickering

Edition 1162, March 22, 2007
 
More than a match: Pte Jacqui Harris was the only female entrant in many of the 11 events she competed in at the Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Swimming carnival where she took first, second and third placings against the boys.
Photo by Cpl Kristen Pickering
RECORDS tumbled and egos were bruised at the Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering swimming carnival as one female competitor proved more than a match for the boys.

Being the only female entrant in several events, Pte Jaqui Harris took on the challenge and came out with some impressive results during the February 28 competition.

She placed first overall in the 100m backstroke, 2nd in the 200m medley, 3rd in the 50m backstroke and 3rd in the 50m breastroke.

Pte Harris said that on entering the events she was nervous and didn’t expect to win, but after finishing the 100m backstroke she looked up and thought “what the?” after realising she had left the boys for dead.

“I thought they were going to kick my butt,” she said.

Although she didn’t achieve any personal bests on the day of the competition, she said it was a first for her to compete in 11 events almost back-to-back.

“I knew it was going to be an exhausting afternoon and I was expecting a challenge from the boys and they brought it.”

Pte Harris has seven years of competitive swimming experience, going to state and national level competitions at school and as part of the River City Rapids team in Brisbane.

Another standout competitor on the day was Cfn Daniel Brown who achieved first place in the 200m freestyle, 200m individual medley, 50m butterfly and also the 100m free relay with his team mates.