GOLDEN GIRL MAKES SPLASH
Swimmer claims gold at states
SWIMMING: Early mornings and late afternoons are common for Naia Anderson as she chases her dreams in the pool.
Her efforts were vindicated at the Queensland Short Course Championships in Brisbane, as she engaged in a back-and-forth encounter over the 800m trip.
Narrowly trailing competitor Chloe Johnston with four laps of the 25m pool remaining, the Fairholme College swimmer dug deep to overcome her rival and claim gold in the U15s event.
Recording a time of 9.02.46, Anderson shaved 17 seconds off her personal best, a result she puts down to her grit outside the competitive arena.
“It’s good to know that the hard work and dedication pays off, and the support from your family, friends and coaching staff really helps out too,” Anderson said.
“I was feeling very nervous beforehand but when you’re in the water, you don’t know what anybody else is going to do on the day.
“You just have to put in what you’ve done and what you know you can do.
“My strategy was to keep a steady pace and not go out too hard because it is a long event over the short course so there are a lot of laps.”
There were in fact 32 laps that Anderson had to negotiate, a feat shadowed by the countless hours of training per week.
“I train seven days a week, including early mornings and after school,” she said. “It’s an hour and a half a day, so it can add up to 10 hours per week.
“I train at Toowoomba Grammar, and I wouldn’t be here if my coach didn’t help me and guide me.”
After producing the stellar effort to continue her promising young career, Anderson is hoping to continue reaching new heights.
“(A goal is) to definitely do the Commonwealth Games trials. To get into there would be great,” she said.
“At the moment it’s just a couple of teams like Pan Pacs, and long course states are coming up soon.
“If I keep the same level of hard work up and dedication I’m sure I can reach my goals.”
The current record holder in the U15s 800m short course event is Ariarne Titmus who swam at the meet just two years ago, claiming three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast earlier this year.