BATEMANS Bay teenager Nathan Meacham has returned from an “exciting” week of competition swimming in the state age championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, which were held from January 8 to 13.
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Meacham competed in nine events at the championships – 50m, 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle, 100m and 200m backstroke, 100m breaststroke, 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley.
On what was an incredible day for the 13-year-old, Meacham achieved personal best times in all nine events.
He was also among the top 10 finalists in four events, which meant he had to back up in the evening for finals after swimming in the morning heats.
Meacham qualified for finals reserve in three other events.
“This was a great effort for Nathan who had only turned 13 years old eight weeks earlier,” Meacham’s mother Jacquie said.
“Last year Nathan had a goal of achieving national swimming times for the Australian age championships, to be held in Adelaide in early April.
“He had achieved two qualifying times by December, and now has a staggering five qualifying times for the Australian age championships.
“Nathan will compete in the NSW Country Championships, again at SOPAC, at the end of February, where he hopes to achieve a further two Australian national age championship qualifying times.
“It’s really pleasing to see some of his efforts and high expenses of long hours of training and travelling paying off.”
The next swimming competition he is preparing for is the NSW Country Championships, also to be held at SOPAC on February 23 and 24, where he has also qualified for nine events.
Preparation is also underway for the Australian age championships, to be held in Adelaide from April 8 to 13.
Nathan said it would be “absolutely sensational” to make a final at the Australian championships.
His sister Clare also competed in the state age championships this month and achieved a personal best time in the 50m freestyle.
Clare will also swim in the NSW Country Championships in Sydney at the end of February.