Deacon dives into nationals

Fourteen-year-old Deacon Briggs ming through the ranks.

Twelve months ago he was yet to make a state time for his strokes.

Now, he is preparing to compete against some of best young swimmers in Australia at the 2019 Australian Age Swimming Championships.

His mother, Jen Briggs, said Deacon was ‘beside himself’ when he gained a qualifying time for the national competition.

“We travelled to Melbourne for the inter-district championship, where he gained is swima 100-metre breast stroke qualifying time,” she said.

“It was actually the final meet before entries closed. He was so excited.

“He was a part of Horsham Sharks for a while and recently moved to Ballarat Gold Swimming Club.

“He started swimming when he was about nine years old. He trains on his own at Horsham all the time.”

The championships are in South Australia this year, where Deacon will race other young elite swimmers on April 18.