ANDRA DRIVEN TO SUCCEED
SWIMMING can be a lonely sport, but that just brings out the determined best in Andra Harrison.
The 16-year-old has begun to establish herself as a force in the pool, rising to be the sixth ranked Australian swimmer in the 50m breaststroke for girls her age. And it all comes from natural ability. While competitors in big city areas are training extensively week to week, Andra has taken a step back even while contesting for titles to ensure her enjoyment of the sport does not fade.
Her mum, Natasha Kidner, said for a while the expectation she put on herself to achieve became overbearing and triggered her brief hiatus.
But now, as her school and swimming communities rally around her, it has reactivated her drive to improve and succeed – not just for herself, but for those who have backed her so passionately.
“The first big competition was Gardens’ Long Course Competition where I think she surprised everybody and did this massive PB in breaststroke. I think everyone then sort of knew she had something,” Kidner said.
“She blew everyone away – we just stood there with our mouths open. She didn’t even know she had it in her.
“She’s so humble, she’s just a beautiful casual teenager that enjoys the fact it comes easy, but she has been in tears when she has failed and I think that was the other reason she moved away for a bit because it was becoming so emotional.” Andra intends to attempt to qualify for nationals in 17 years and open events next year once COVID-19 guidelines enable competitions to resume.
The modest teenager is also ranked in the top 25 for the 100m and 200m breaststroke for her age group, crediting her coaches for bringing out her best.
While she has high hopes for 2021 and furthering her swimming pursuits, she said it would be with a different mindset to ensure her renewed positivity shone through the accolades.
“Townsville is small so therefore the swimming community comes together and takes pride in a local giving it their all,” she said.