6 Students Set for National Swimming Competition

We have our fingers crossed for six Santa Maria students who have qualified for the 2022 National Age Swimming Competition representing their state in Adelaide in April.

This will be the first time in three years our swimmers have been able to attend the Nationals because of border closures. With our borders opening this week, the girls are excited to be able to compete!

The Swimmers

Sienna Pitt (Year 8)
Helen Smith (Year 9)
Alyssa Monaco (Year 10)
Bianca Monaco (Year 10)
Elizabeth Hughes (Year 12)
Kayla Monaco (Year 12)

Sienna

Sienna swims with the South Lake Dolphins. She started training at just 8 years old and swimming competitively from the age of 9. Sienna’s favourite events are the 200m breastroke, as well as the 200m and 400m individual medleys. “I am very proud of how far I have come in swimming and how my dedication, hard work, blood, sweat and tears have paid off for me. I qualified for all my events at the 2021 Age Long Course Swimming Championships against 13-year-olds as I am still only 12,” she said. “The dedication and hard work approach I have used towards swimming has benefited me as I also apply this approach to my schoolwork and other curricular activities.”

Helen

Helen is a dedicated swimmer and is the reigning state champion for all but one of her events. She has been swimming competitively for five years and swims with the South Shore Swimming Club. Her favourite events are the 200m and 400m freestyle, and the 400m individual medley. Her biggest inspirations in swimming are Katie Ledecky (USA), Kathleen Baker (USA) and Aussie Emma McKeon. She said, “All of these women are hard-working, focused, and humble about their achievements, some great role models to look up to.” Helen’s goals include qualifying for the Olympic trials for Paris 2024.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth swims with the UWA West Coast Swimming Club and has been swimming competitively for six years. Her favourite events are the 50m and 100m freestyle. Elizabeth is excited that she’s been able to make national times. “I’m looking forward to being able to race with the rest of Australia’s best swimmers. It makes all the training worthwhile and personally rewarding. In the future, I’d love to be in the top 10 of Australia for one of my events at Nationals. I’d love to go to Olympic trials or Commonwealth Games trials and perform well.”

Sisters Alyssa, Bianca and Kayla swim for Westside, Christchurch and have all been selected for Nationals… That’s no mean feat for one family!

Alyssa

Alyssa has been swimming since she was 11. Her favourite event is the 200m breastroke. This year, she has qualified for 10 individual events!

Bianca

Bianca has been swimming for four years and her favourite events are the 1500m and 800m freestyle. “I do prefer open water swimming”, she said. “Last year I was able to achieve a medal for the 1500m, so I would love to do that again and hopefully achieve a personal best.”

Kayla

Kayla started swimming when she was 9 years old. Her favourite event is the 200m backstroke and the 400m individual medley. She’s hoping to do the Rottnest Swim in the future. Kayla was also selected to attend trials for the Commonwealth Games, but due to her Year 12 studies, has made the decision to turn down this opportunity.

We wish the girls the best of luck at Nationals and we look forward to seeing you at future Commonwealth or Olympic Games.