Kilmore Swimming Club Kilmore Swimming Club
Qualify for the 2015 Australian Age Championships is a challenge for any swimmer and Ethan Daws was no exception. With only two months to go and spending the previous two months overseas, Ethan was going to have to work hard to qualify for the event. Ethan, a multi-class swimmer and member of the Kilmore Swimming Club focused on his goal to keep himself motivated through long training sessions with the club. After attending several meets in the lead up to the Championships Ethan qualified in the 50 Breaststroke, 50 Butterfly and the 50 & 100 Freestyle and was back to just off his previous best.
On Saturday 18th April 2015 Ethan and his father Steve flew out to Sydney; arriving at midday Ethan and Steve had a chance to relax before heading to the Championships the following day. After warming up alongside some of Australia’s best age groupers, Ethan was up for his first event, the 100 Freestyle. Ranked seventh Ethan gave it his all to finish second on the wall slicing seven seconds off his previous best; however after the points were tallied Ethan’s final placing was fourth. After relaxing at the hotel between sessions Ethan was back to swim the 50 Butterfly and 50 Breaststroke that afternoon. The Butterfly was up first; Ethan took another second off his previous best to place fifth in his event. Then in the Breaststroke Ethan took another two seconds off his previous best to finish forth.
Happy with his performance but not content with placing fourth and fifth, Ethan set out on the last day of competitions to make his mark. After a good warm up Ethan marshalled for his 50 Freestyle; ranked second going into the event Ethan was determined to hold to better his position. Sprinting down the pool with the other swimmers right on his tail Ethan touched second on the wall and after point’s distribution was still in second place. Ethan was ecstatic, his first national medal and his first podium place at a major competition. “Ethan has worked hard to get where he is, being a transplant recipient it is not easy for Ethan to train hard and push himself” coach Jennifer Lonie said, “the club (Kilmore Swimming Club) is very proud of Ethan and his tremendous achievement”.
Competing at the Australian Age Championships has given Ethan the urge to push himself to the next level and now has his eye on the 2016 Australian Age Championships as well as the 2016 Australian Championships.
