QUALIFYING for the Olympic trials is the next goal for Taree Torpedoes swimmer Bevan Smith.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 17-year-old is on the cusp and only has to lower his time by a fraction to try for a place in the 100 and 200 metre backstroke, his pet events.
Bevan realises he's little to no chance of swimming at Tokyo later this year.
"But it would be a great experience to go up against the sport's big boys,'' he reasoned.
He's just back from the national championships held at Southport, where he was a finalist in the 17 years 100 and 200m back. Bevan recorded personal best times in both events, where he was eighth in the 100 metre and ninth in the 200 metres.
He is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana.
He went into the meet aiming to go under a minute for the 100 metres.
"I clocked 58 seconds, so I achieved my goal,'' he said.
"And I recorded a PB for the 200.''
However, his preparation for the nationals was hampered by the floods.
"We live on a farm at Mitchells Island,'' Bevan explained.
"We couldn't get into the pool for a week. They say every week you miss training takes two weeks off your fitness."
"It's hard to say,'' he replied when asked how he would have fared had the floods hadn't impacted his schedule.
RELATED:
Bevan qualified for the nationals following the State titles held in December. He is coached by Brad Thurlow at the Manning Aquatic and Leisure Centre and he said up until the floods hit, everything was going smoothly for his assault on the Australian championships.
"I was training in the pool seven days a week and have three gym sessions to help build my strength,'' he explained.
Bevan was back training the day after he arrived home from Southport, aiming for the State Combined High School championships to be held at the end of the month, where he hopes to come into medal contention.
He trains and competes 12 months a year. When the summer season finishes Bevan concentrates on short course events. He doesn't tire of the sport.
"I just love it, looking up from the pool and seeing you name with a PB next to it - it's the best feeling ever,'' he smiles.
Bevan completes his HSC at Taree High this year and is hoping to relocate to the Gold Coast in 2022 to further his swimming career.
There he'll continue to strive for Olympic and then Commonwealth Games selection.
