Teen in butterfly blitz
TOWNSVILLE swimmer Jack Hendy, 18, is eyeing off the international stage after winning gold in the 50m butterfly at the Queensland State Sprint Championships.
Hendy, who graduated from Pimlico State High School at the end of last year, won his gold in the 17-18 years division after swimming the winning time of 25.38 seconds — almost a full stroke ahead of his nearest rival.
The Gardens Swimming Club talent also took out silver in the 17-18 years 50m backstroke, touching the wall in 27.53 sec.
Hendy swam his way to success against the best that southeast Queensland’s top swimming stables could muster, and what’s more Hendy intends to remain based in Townsville as a newly appointed junior coach at Long Tan Memorial Pool.
Hendy’s success comes after almost qualifying for last year’s Commonwealth Games in the 50m backstroke, having swam against world champion Mitch Larkin and Australian record holder Ben Treffers at the Australian Swimming Trials.
“It’s definitely a top feeling — I executed everything in my game plan,” Hendy said.
“It’s a lot of hard work to put everything together and to be at your best on the day.
“Being a sprinter, one mistake can cost you everything, so it’s great that everything came off.”
Hendy is now training towards April’s National Age Group Championships in New Zealand, where he will begin his journey on the international stage.
“The next goal is to head to international meets,” Hendy said.
“I’ll be staying in Townsville and training here, and it’s what I always wanted to do.
“Townsville has done so much for me and it’s got its background of past Olympic swimmers, and that’s why I want to stay.”
BEING A SPRINTER, ONE MISTAKE CAN COST YOU EVERYTHING, SO IT’S GREAT THAT EVERYTHING CAME OFF JACK HENDY