Melton Swimming Club duo Jack Carr and Karlos Nuestro will take on the nation’s best swimmers at the Australian age group championships next month.
The two have had a successful season in the pool, winning multiple medals, and both would love to add to them at the top level.
It’ll be the second straight year Carr has competed at the titles. This year he’s competing in six events, up from four last year.
He’ll swim the 50 and 100-metre freestyle, 100 and 200-metre butterfly, 200-metre individual medley and 100-metre backstroke.
Carr has set his aim high after not performing how he would have liked last year.
“Not as good as I would have hoped; my birthday is just before the event. I swim with one age group then have to swim up in the next age group for the championships.
“[Coach] Rob Neilson is trying to work on the mental side of things and encouraging me to stay mentally strong. I’m hoping to make the finals of the 50 and 100-metre freestyle.
“Rob wants me to get at least close to getting a medal in the 200-metre IM, so I’m working really hard for it.”
The 15-year-old also qualified for the open national championships for the first time, in the 50-metre backstroke.
He currently has the 25th-fastest time in Australia since July and is unsure whether he’ll swim both championships as they directly follow each other.
Carr also recently won three gold medals and a silver in the Victorian sprint titles, winning the 50-metre backstroke, freestyle and butterfly.
Nuestro
will compete at the national age group championships for the first time, swimming the 100 and 200-metre breaststroke for his age group.
“My goal is to a least make the finals,” he said. “It’ll be an experience as it’s my first time swimming at national level. I think my times are good enough to make finals.”
Since May last year, he’s been ranked the fastest swimmer for his age group in Victoria in the 100 and 200-metre breaststroke and 200-metre individual medley.
The 12-year-old has been part of squad swimming for the past three years. He says he started swimming because his mum wanted him to have that skill.
Meanwhile, Melton Swimming Club has come out on top at the recent metro west district championships.
The club won both the male and female categories to cement itself as the most successful club in the metro west district.
The club won 53 gold, 35 silver and 30 bronze medals. Swimmers also set eight new district records.
