Team Vic torpedoes to nationals

FOUR young Ballarat swimmers will fly to Brisbane in August to compete in the School Sport Australia National Championships.

Ballarat Swimming Club’s Bosco Ju, and Ballarat Gold Swimming Club’s Amelia Luo, Cooper Sutherland, and Bryce Scott will swim for Team Vic, having qualified to represent the state at a recent School Sport Victoria meet.

A 10-year-old butterflyer and Ballarat Clarendon College student, Luo has been swimming for four years.

“I really surprised myself at the state finals, getting gold and a really big personal best,” she said.

“In Brisbane, I’m competing in butterfly, the 200 individual medley, and three relays. I feel really excited to go, I’m proud to be in the team and to represent Victoria.

“I’d like to thank my coaches Mark Stahl and James Meddings, and I really appreciate my school and swimming friends for bringing me all this way and supporting me in everything that I do.”

Always striving to improve her technique and speed, Luo is inspired by 15-year-old world champion swimmer Summer McIntosh.

“She is my role model, and I want to be like her because she’s also a butterflyer,” Luo said.

“I love swimming, how the water feels around me when I’m moving through it like a torpedo and flying through the water.”

Sixteen-year-old Sutherland said he’s excited to compete following the pandemic interruptions of the last two years.

“I’m looking forward to swimming with and against some of the strongest swimmers in my age group,” he said.