Harris continues to impress in breakout year

Grace Harris, who qualified for Nutri Grain Iron Series late-last year, has again impressed at the Surf Life Saving Australia Interstate Championships. Photo: SUPPLIED

FORMER Torquay Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) nipper Grace Harris continues to be a dominant force in the Australian lifesaving community, returning from the Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) Interstate Championships in Maroubra, New South Wales earlier this month.

Harris topped off her Championships with an impressive second place in the open ironwoman event while representing her home state of Victoria on Monday, January 16.

Now based at Sunshine Coast club Alexandra Headlands SLSC, Harris hopes to make her home state proud this year while continuing to be a role model for the upcoming generation of Victorian athletes, following her also qualification for the Nutri Grain Iron Series.

“My goals this season are to compete well in the Nutri Grain series and make Victoria proud and encourage Victorians to strive to be the best no matter where they come from,” Ms Harris said.

“Because I am involved in competitive racing, it has enabled me to become fit and competent to patrol the beach and save people’s lives out in the water.”

Competitors also came together for an impressive showing in the team events, including second in the youth mixed surf teams, third in the youth mixed Taplin and board relays and the pathway Cameron and board relays.

LSV senior manager sport Chris Schleusener praised Team VIC for their efforts across the competition.

“Congratulations to Team VIC on a fantastic showing on the national stage, coming up against some of the nation’s best water and beach athletes,” Mr Schleusener said.

“Our seasoned competitors showed their prowess not only as competitors, but as role models and leaders for our pathway athletes, who embraced their first opportunity to represent their state and compete at this top level.

“I look forward to seeing our competitors apply their learnings from racing against Australia’s best at our state championship events coming up in February and March.”

Fellow Surf Coast representative athletes Cooper Stanley and Sam Johnson of Anglesea SLSC secured second and third places respectively in the Super Surf Teams League open men’s beach sprint finals in both the second and third rounds.