Sport
6 April, 2024
Carey makes waves to nationals
AT just 16 years old, Mareeba swimmer Paige Carey is making waves in the swimming world, having secured a spot in the National Swimming Championships to represent Queensland on the Gold Coast.
Training in Cairns up to four times a week and in Mareeba every other day, Carey is focused and determined, with her sights firmly set on the prize.
Over the past six months, she has competed in swimming competitions across Queensland to prepare and qualify for the championships.
Her dedication has paid off, and from 10-14 April, Carey will compete in the challenging 50m and 100m butterfly events.
“I am really excited because I have dreamed about this ever since I started,” she said.
“It has been mt goal for as long as I can remember – since I have started swimming competitively really – and I have been working so hard for the past two years trying to make it to nationals.”
During the school holidays, Carey will train intensively at the Mareeba pool and with her coaches in Cairns to ensure she's at her best.
She takes pride in her commitment to training solo most days, especially after school, and her dedication to training in Cairns.
“I will be training pretty hard, doing eight sessions a week, an hour and a half to two hours each, for five kilometres,” she said.
“But in the three or four days before the competition I will calm it down a bit on the training and only do three kilometres so I can save my muscle strength for nationals.”
Competing in the nationals is a significant milestone for Carey, bringing her a step closer to her ultimate goal of qualifying for the Olympic trials.
Currently ranked among the top 20 swimmers in Queensland, she believes her experience at nationals will be instrumental in her journey towards becoming an international athlete.
For the upcoming nationals, Carey aims to set a personal best and qualify for the B-grade finals in her races.
