Wagga swimmer Abbey Senior, 10, can rest easy on school holidays, after blitzing the competition at nationals in Darwin. Senior ended on a high, winning team gold for NSW in the 4x50m freestyle on Wednesday.
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The win follows a team gold in the medley relay, and two individual silver medals.
“I knew I could do well, but I wasn't expecting to medal at all, except for the relays,” she said.
“I felt really happy, I had lots and lots of support, especially from my school. People were sending messages, saying, ‘good job,’ people I didn’t expect to get messages from.
“I was so nervous in that first race, I was still nervous for the rest of the carnival, it was so weird to have so many more people watching.”
The pressure spurred her on to make significant gains on personal bests in each event she raced in.
Bi-weekly Canberra-based training sessions also put her in good stead.
“In Canberra one morning, we got told training had been cancelled, so we went to the pool, and this other coach helped us out,” Senior said.
“I fixed my strokes. That really helped in Darwin.”
The variety at training has revived her love for the sport.
“I didn’t really like swimming as much before,” she said.
“Now, our Canberra coach sends us sets to do, it feels more serious. I’m learning new things. I like it now.”