Lifesaving Luka tops the pool in Sydney

HIGHTON teenager Luka Mathe is an Australian lifesaving champion after beating rivals two years her senior at the nationals in Sydney.

The 14-year-old missed the under-14 age group by seven days, but that didn’t stop her being crowned Australian champion in the under-16 50m manikin carry.

Mathe, a qualified lifesaver at Jan Juc, was also crowned third overall in the under-16s after placing second in the CPR and third in the 100m manikin tow, which puts her in the running to be selected for Australia in the near future.

“She placed third overall in the under-16 age group, which does normally qualify them for the Australian team, but because there’s no international competition this year, they haven’t announced the team, but they may put together something in the next couple of months,” mum Nyree Mathe said.

“She actually swam events she’s never ever swum before because she had to go up the age groups, and it’s all based on rescue situations.”

Her performance comes off the back of starring efforts in the Victorian and West Australian State Swimming Championships.

She clocked 1.00.14 in Victoria in the 100m freestyle,