Dalby’s Jen set for fast times
SWIMMING: Instead of tracking a picturesque hiking trail during her gap year, Dalby swimmer Jennifer Nothdurft will be tracking a black line.
The talented athlete has her sights firmly set on clocking fast times at national level.
After being awarded Our Lady of the Southern Cross College’s Dux last year, Nothdurft will transfer her elite work ethic to thousands of kilometres in the water.
A long-time Darling Downs district representative, Nothdurft is keen to test her potential throughout the year.
“Next year I aim to make nationals for the 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly and open water,” Nothdurft said.
“I plan on achieving these goals by giving 100 per cent of my attention and effort to swimming. I plan on listening to the advice of my coach and using his skill set and extensive knowledge to progress my swimming and be much better than I am now.”
The Dalby Dolphins swimmer is focused on the process of achieving personal-best times, rather than concentrating on the end result.
“If you are able to beat your PBs and continually improve you will become the person winning races,” she says.
“Winning just doesn’t happen overnight - it is the outcome of continual hard work. Just because you start winning doesn’t mean that you stop working hard. If you want to be the best you have to be willing to put in the effort every single day.”
Nothdurft’s daily routine has influenced her academic and sporting success, driven by a pure love for swimming.
“My motivation for getting up early for training is simply my love for the sport,” she said.
“I love competing and I love training. It is a way for me to test myself and challenge myself to do new things that I may not have been able to do in the previous session.”
Nothdurft has no shortage of superb role models, particularly her hardworking and supportive parents, Wayne and Donna. She has reaped the benefits of hard work – in and out of the water.
After her gap year, Nothdurft will study biomedicine at Griffith University and has a long-term goal of pursuing medicine, with a specialisation in paediatrics.
Not one to rest on her laurels, Nothdurft is undertaking anatomy studies online to feed her curiosity about medical science.
“The human anatomy course has been great to learn about all the different features and aspects to the human body and how they all interconnect and work together,” she said.
“I believe the qualities of a swimming champion are dedication, motivation, self-pride, enjoyment, happiness, commitment and perseverance.
“Swimming champions are people who are competing at their best.”