Swimmers cap year with Sports Star gold

AFTER striking silver in the Paris pool, Jenna Strauch and Col Pearse had their hands on gold on Friday night as joint winners of Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year for 2024.

Strauch and Pearse etched their names into history on several fronts following their success at the highest level.

Both competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and again swam against the world’s best in Paris.

Premier Jacinta Allan also achieved a “childhood dream” in announcing the winners of the prestigious award.

The gala night at Bendigo’s All Seasons drew more than 350 to celebrate the outstanding achievers of ’24, the rising stars, and to honour the greats of yesteryear and those who have done so much for the community.

It’s the fourth time there have been joint winners of Sports Star which was first won by cyclist Frank McCaig in 1965-66 and is the longest-running of its kind in the country.

A gun competitor in breaststroke, Strauch earned silver in the 4 x 100m medley relay at the Paris Olympics.

A few weeks later and Pearse claimed silver in the 200m individual medley for SM10 class at the Paralympics in Paris.

It’s now dual Sports Star of the Year awards for Strauch after her success in 2022.

“For us to be recognised together is a huge monumental step,” Strauch said of being joint winner with Pearse .

Strauch joined water-skiing great Kaye Thurlow, basketball legend Kristi Harrower, and netball champion Sharelle McMahon as women to have claimed Sports Star of the Year honours twice.

Pearse is the first male swimmer to earn gold at Sports Star.

“This is an incredible honour and for Strauch to be here as well makes this even better,” Pearse said from the podium at All Seasons Bendigo.

The Sports Star of the Year honour roll includes the likes of Glenn Ashby and Greg Goodall, yachting; Glen Thurlow, water skiing; Robert Burns, cycling; Joel Selwood, AFL; and Lucas Herbert, golf.

 

Recipients across the night were:

Basil Ashman Hall of Fame: Tony Southcombe, AFL and basketball.

Faith Leech Inspiration Award: John Palmer, gymnastics and sports acrobatics.

McKern Steel John Forbes Coach/Manager: Simon Smith, Spring Gully United Soccer Club.

Maxine Crouch Trust Fund: Lilyth Jones, cycling.

Cyril Michelsen Trust Fund: Henry Allan, swimming.

Bendigo Health Young Indigenous Athlete: Isaac Widdicombe and Hope Johnson.

Agnico Eagle Fosterville Healthiest School: Epsom Primary School.

Bendigo Bank Community Minded Award: Sailability Bendigo.

Bendigo Sports Star of the Year finalists for 2024:

January: Blake Agnoletto, cycling.

February: nil.

March: Alessia McCaig, cycling.

April: Emma Berg, athletics.

May: nil.

June: Courtney Sherwell, gravel race cycling.

July: Andy Buchanan, athletics.

August: Jenna Strauch, swimming.

September: Col Pearse, swimming.

October: Lilyth Jones, cycling.

November: Lucas Herbert, golf; and James Hume, bodybuilding.

December: Henry Allan, swimming.