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Sport

13 May, 2019

Mareeba swimmers smash goals

THREE local Mareeba swimmers have recently returned after competing interstate in multiple swimming events.

By Rhys Thomas

Mareeba swimmers smash goals - feature photo

THREE local Mareeba swimmers have recently returned after competing interstate in multiple swimming events. David Eade and Daniel Pyke have both recently competed at the Arafura Games in the Northern Territory.

Both David and Daniel said they trained heavily in preparation for the event. “David and I came in every morning and afternoon for six months, and trained about 8-10 sessions a week,” Daniel said. “It was a very high standard of swimming and there were a lot of international swimmers which brought the competition up.” Their performances did not go unnoticed with them both getting more than half of their Personal Bests. “I got 5 PB’s out of 7,” Daniel said.

David was a standout as he beat 10 of his 13 PB’s and came home with two medals, of which included a silver for the 400 metre freestyle and a bronze for the 200 metre freestyle.” “We’d like to thank our couch June for hounding us every morning to get to the pool as well as and our friends and family who were very supportive,” they said. Both David and Daniel impressed with David getting into 7 finals and Daniel tying his commonwealth medal time from 2008 after not swimming for 11 years.

While David and Daniel were focused on doing their best they made sure they took time to fully experience the event. “It was a lot more fun than serious, David had a smile on his face the whole time,” Daniel said. With the Arafura Games crossed off the list both boys have now set their sights on the Great Barrier Reef Games held in the Masters next week. While the boys from the Mareeba swimming club showed their skill in the north of the country, Nicole Theakston travelled to Adelaide to compete in Nationals. Despite getting one PB in the 100 metre freestyle and equalling her 200 metre freestyle PB,Nicole felt unsatisfied. “I feel like I could’ve done better,” she said. This wasn’t only Nicole’s first experience at nationals but also the Mareeba pools first since 2000.

“Nicole is our first National Pool swimmer,” Coach June Cotter said. “We’ve had three multi-class national swimmers, it’s been approximately 16-17 years since we’ve had a national swimmer.” Nicole said the level of swimming at Nationals was better than what she expected. “They were way faster than what I’m used to.” she said. She credited her chance at nationals to her coach and parents. “I’d like to thank my coach June and my mum and dad for driving me places.” Nicole is now looking to return to the national’s blocks after the winter break.

With their first national swimmer in 19 years looking ahead to redemption at Adelaide and David and Daniel striving forward towards the Great Barrier Reef Games, the lane seems clear for Mareeba swimmers.

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