TOORMINA swimmer Storm Townsend and Sawtell’s Frankie Lambert have their sights set on the national titles in Melbourne later this year, after sensational results in the recent NSW Primary School Sports Association (PSSA) Swimming Championships in Sydney.
Both multi-class swimmers earned a spot in the NSW team after competing at Sydney Olympic Park on Tuesday 28 April.
Storm, a Year 6 William Bayldon Public School student, secured her place on the national stage by winning silver in the Girls Senior Multi-Class 50m Butterfly and bronze in the Girls Senior Multi-Class 50m Freestyle.
She also placed fourth in the Girls Senior Multi-Class 100m Freestyle.
For Storm, standing on the state podium represented a mix of pride and hard work.
“It felt really great, but it was kinda hard,” she told News Of The Area.
She was quick to share the credit.
“I have a teacher and his name is Colin Sawtell. He’s a really great teacher”.
Storm’s mother, Cherylee Miller, said she’s trained “amazingly hard”.
“She had lots of fun catching up with her friends in Sydney, because this was her third time at state finals,” Ms Miller said.
“[But] this is the first time she’s made it to Nationals.”
William Bayldon Public School Principal Jodie Hayes said the entire school community is very proud of Storm.
She has watched her growth first-hand, noting how swimming has helped the young athlete develop her focus.
She also commended Ms Miller for her commitment to Storm’s rigorous training regimen.
“Storm has the support of the whole community behind her,” Ms Hayes said.
Sawtell Public School is equally proud of Frankie Lambert’s success in qualifying for the Girls Senior Multi-Class 50m Freestyle event.
“Everyone who knows Frankie knows how far she has come over the past few years,” the school shared.
“She has trained her socks off… and we couldn’t be prouder.”
While Frankie’s parents and grandparents were in the stands cheering her on, classmates were tuned into the live stream.
They also watched the swims of fellow school and North Coast region representatives Percy, Theo, Walter, Lewys and Kobi.
Both Storm and Frankie will travel to Melbourne in late November for the School Sport Australia Games, where they will compete against the best young athletes from across the country.
By Lani GREENHALGH
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