Three Good Shepherd Lutheran College students will be heading to Hobart this week to compete in five days of swimming at the National Schools Swimming Competition – all three swimmers having progressed through a rigorous selection process of school, district, regional and state competition to earn their place to represent Queensland.
Jude Youens (Year 8) and Harry Wright (Year 7) dream of one day swimming for Australia while Liam Cuthbertson (Year 6) hopes to break world records.
Jude will be competing in the 13 Years 50m and 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly and the 13-14 Years freestyle relay; Harry will be competing in the 12 Years 50m and 100m breaststroke, 200m individual medley and the 200m team relay and Liam will be competing in the 11 Years 50m backstroke.
When Jude was asked how he was feeling coming up to the competition he said, “I’ve been training very hard and I’m feeling ready to compete and do my best for myself, my family and school and everyone that has supported me.”
“The last few years I have just missed out on representing Queensland which made it very special achieving my goal this year – I can’t wait.”
Harry was equally as enthusiastic saying, “I’m very excited to compete in Hobart and I hope I can do a few personal bests (PB’s) and I can’t wait to represent Queensland and GSLC.”
The youngest member of the three swimmers, Liam, is also very focussed, “This is my first ever Nationals and I think it will be an amazing experience and I hope to place in the top 5 in my event.”
Good Shepherd College Principal Mr Anthony Dyer was full of praise for the boys and their perseverance.
“All three boys are to be congratulated not only on their excellent result, but also their sportsmanship and focus,” said Mr Dyer.
“These boys are all training between 8 – 12 hours a week which is a testament to their dedication to their sport and ambition to succeed.”
“Given their amazing efforts in the pool there is every chance these rising stars will achieve their dreams.”
“The whole Good Shepherd community is behind them and we wish them all good luck and we will all be looking forward to hearing about their experience.”
