Meet the state’s to 34 junior swimmers making a splash
From the metro clubs to country lanes, Meet 34 of SA’s junior swimmers set to become tomorrow’s stars of the pool.
They’ve got national titles, state records and Olympic dreams — and they’re all still in school.
From the metro clubs to country lanes, 34 of South Australia’s most promising junior swimmers have been making their mark across the 2024/25 season, dominating in the pool and open water on both state and national stages.
These rising talents include freestyle flyers, backstroke specialists, breaststroke powerhouses and multi-class stars, many of whom already hold national rankings, state records, or have medalled at the Australian Age and Open Water Championships.
The next big test is just around the corner — the 2025 South Australian Short Course Slam, running from Friday, August 29, to Sunday, August 31, which will bring the best in the state together for one of the most exciting meets of the year.
Across every age group and region, South Australian clubs and programs are nurturing athletes who are fast, fearless, and hungry to make their mark.
Here are just a few of the standout juniors nominated by Swimming SA — a glimpse of the raging talent making waves in the Festival State.
Drake Beaty (MC)
Age: 17
Club: Whyalla
Main Stroke: Butterfly
Favourite Races: 50m and 100m Butterfly
Drake Beaty is the definition of determination.
When the 17 year old dived into the pool at the 2025 School Games in Brisbane, few in the crowd knew just how far he had come to be there.
After suffering a devastating knee injury in 2021, caused by a bullying incident at school, Beaty faced years of setbacks, surgeries, and recovery.
The injury dislocated his kneecap, fractured bone and later required a complex tibial tubercle osteotomy and ligament reconstruction.
Swimming, the sport he loved, was off the table for months.
At one point it wasn’t clear if he’d ever return.
But Beaty didn’t just return, he roared back.
Through grit, rehab, and sheer resilience, he made his competitive comeback earlier this year, collecting gold at the 2025 SA Country Championships in the 50m and 100m Butterfly.
Then, with a moon boot still in rotation after fracturing his foot at Comic-Con, he was selected to represent Whyalla and South Australia at the national School Games.
Despite catching the flu on day one of competition, Beaty powered through to clock seven personal bests in eight events — including the 200m Freestyle, 100m Fly, and IM.
“Drake never lets a setback stop him,” his mum, Kristen Beaty said.
“Even when things felt impossible — the injury, the long recovery, getting sick before nationals — he just focused on doing his best, and on cheering others along the way.”
But it wasn’t just his swims that caught attention, coaches and athletes from around the country, and even Fiji, praised his sportsmanship.
Always ready with a cheer or a high five, Beaty uplifted every lane around him.
The Fiji team adopted him as one of their own presenting him with leis at the closing ceremony and Olympic gold medallist Natalie Cook applauded his mindset.
And his fellow athletes knew him as the guy who wouldn’t let anything — injury, illness, or doubt — beat him.
He might be the fastest in the water, but Beaty is just as committed to lifting others as he is to chasing gold.
Despite the challenges of regional training, the young gun regularly makes the trip to Adelaide for extra sessions, staying laser-focused on his performance and goals.
Over the past year, he’s competed across regional carnivals, state meets, and national multi-class competitions, steadily building his experience.
At the SA Short Course Championships, Beaty earned gold and silver in team events — including a last-minute nationals relay call-up, where he swam the lead leg and clocked a personal best of 30.80 in the 50m Freestyle.
One of his most memorable moments?
Warming up alongside Paralympic great Ahmed Kelly — a true inspiration for the rising star.
Now with his eyes set on the next State Short Course Championships, Beaty’s comeback story is just beginning.
Clara Carrocci
Age: 17
Club: Norwood
Main Strokes: Freestyle, Backstroke and Butterfly
Favourite Race: 200m Backstroke
There’s fast, and then there’s Clara Carrocci in 200m Backstroke.
Carrocci is a backstroke weapon — and the results speak for themselves.
She finished 9th in the 200m Backstroke at the 2025 Australian Swimming Trials, proving she can mix it with Australia’s best in one of the toughest events on the program.
The Norwood star is already a four-time national age champion — with wins in both long and short course 200m Backstroke — and added another treasure chest of medals at this year’s State Age Championships: five golds across backstroke, butterfly and freestyle.
Her performances earned her a call-up to the elite ‘Next Wave’ camp at the AIS, where she joined the best young swimmers from around the country.
Back home, she’s been an SA Flippers Squad mainstay since 2021, and has been reselected again for 2025/26.
With speed, stamina and serious form across multiple strokes, Carrocci is a swimmer you’ll be seeing in finals for years to come.
Allegra Crean
Age: 15
Club: Marion
Main Strokes: Backstroke, Butterfly and Individual Medley (IM)
Favourite Races: 50m and 100m Backstroke, 100m and 200m IM
Allegra Crean is the kind of swimmer who does it all – and does it fast.
The Marion all-rounder owns multiple state records, including the 15-year girls marks for the 100m IM, 100m Butterfly (short course) and 200m IM (long course).
She had a huge campaign at the 2025 Australian Age Championships, making six A-finals from nine events and winning silver in the 200m Backstroke and bronze in the 200m IM.
She’s also no stranger to senior-level pressure, having lined up at both the 2024 and 2025 Australian Swimming Trials.
Crean swept the podium at the State Age Champs with eight gold and three silver medals, medalled at the Open Long Course Championships, and took home a stack of titles at the 2024 Short Course meet.
Her efforts earned her a spot at the prestigious ‘Next Wave’ AIS camp and selection for the 2025/26 SA Flippers Squad.
She also received the Peter Bowen Paine Development Trophy, recognising her outstanding potential.
With her versatility and hunger, Crean is absolutely one to watch.
Savannah Harrison
Age: 15
Club: Kent Town
Main Strokes: Freestyle and Backstroke
Favourite Race: 200m Backstroke
If there’s a podium, chances are Savannah Harrison’s been on it lately.
The Kent Town teen has been racking up medals – from the SA Short Course Champs to NSW State Age and right through to this year’s State Age and Open titles.
Whether it’s freestyle or backstroke, she’s got the range, the rhythm and the results to match.
Her 2025 season hit new highs at the Australian Age Championships, where she stormed home for bronze in the 200m Backstroke, reached the A-Final in the gruelling 400m Freestyle, and backed it up with a strong swim in the 100m Backstroke B-final.
And because one big meet isn’t enough, she also hit the lanes at the Australian Swimming Trials in Adelaide – lining up against some of the best swimmers in the country.
With multiple golds already under her belt this season and a well-earned spot in the SA Flippers Squad for 2025/26, Harrison’s making waves in all the right ways.
Don’t blink – she’s only just getting started.
Claire Borgmeyer
Age: 17
Club: Immanuel
Main Strokes: Breaststroke and Individual Medley (IM)
Favourite Races: 50m and 100m Breaststroke, 100m IM
When it comes to breaststroke, Claire Borgmeyer is all business — and her medal haul proves it.
The Immanuel star powered into the national top 10 in both the 50m and 100m Breaststroke at the 2025 Australian Age Championships, and helped smash a South Australian record in the 4x50m Mixed Medley Relay while she was at it.
Borgmeyer kicked off her golden run with double silver at the 2024 Victorian State Age Champs, then followed up with a clean sweep of the 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke at the 2025 SA State Age titles — just for good measure.
She added gold in the 200m IM and silver in the 50m Freestyle, showing off her versatility in style.
She’s also no stranger to big-stage pressure, having raced at the 2025 Australian Swimming Trials and flying the flag for SA at the 2024 School Sport Australia Championships, where she picked up three national medals.
With a call-up to the SA Flippers Squad this season, Borgmeyer continues to dominate the breaststroke ranks — one fast finish at a time.
Emily Daunt
Age: 15
Club: Marion
Main Strokes: Breaststroke and Individual Medley (IM)
Favourite Races: 100m and 200m Breaststroke
Emily Daunt isn’t just one of South Australia’s brightest talents — she’s one of the fastest young breaststrokers in the country.
The Marion powerhouse is ranked 4th all-time in Australia for the 14-year-old 50m Breaststroke (long course) and 6th all-time for the 100m Breaststroke (short course).
She turned heads at the 2025 Australian Age Championships, storming to gold in both the 50m and 100m Breaststroke, plus a silver in the 200m.
Not long after, she lined up at the World Trials in Adelaide and cracked the B Final in the 50m Breaststroke — going toe-to-toe with some of Australia’s top-tier seniors.
Daunt holds multiple South Australian age records, including the 14 and 15-year-old benchmarks for both the 50m and 100m Breaststroke.
She even broke another record — the 15-year-old 50m Breaststroke short course — at the 2025 Winter Waves meet.
Her dominance was on full display at the State Age Championships, where she clean-swept the breaststroke events and added gold in the 200m and 400m IM, plus the 50m Butterfly.
She was awarded both the Harry Eaton Cup for Best All-Round Performance and the Waite Cup for Top Breaststroker.
With selections for the SA Flippers Squad, the AIS ‘Next Wave’ Camp, and the joint QLD/SA “LA Dreaming” training camp, Daunt’s sights are firmly set on the world stage.
Maisy Pronk
Age: 16
Club: Immanuel
Main Stroke: Backstroke
Favourite Race: 100m Backstroke
Smooth, strong and always in the mix — Maisy Pronk is a backstroke specialist who knows how to finish strong.
The Immanuel swimmer is a regular finalist at national level, consistently landing herself in the top tier across all backstroke distances.
Closer to home, Pronk has become a familiar face atop the podium, racking up gold medals at both the South Australian and Victorian State Championships, where she’s built a reputation as one of the most reliable performers in the lane.
But Pronk doesn’t stop at the walls — she’s also a gun surf swimmer, proudly representing West Beach Surf Life Saving Club and proving she’s just as comfortable racing waves as she is chasing PBs.
With her blend of athleticism, water smarts and relentless drive, Pronk is carving out her own lane in South Australian swimming.
Keep an eye on the 100m Backstroke — that’s her sweet spot, and she’s only getting faster.
Piper Cameron
Age: 15
Club: Norwood
Main Stroke: Freestyle (Pool and Open Water)
Favourite Races: 5km and 7.5km Open Water, and 1500m Freestyle
Piper Cameron is built for the long haul — as one of SA’s most exciting young distance swimmers.
She’s already proving herself as one of South Australia’s rising stars in distance swimming, both in the pool and out in the open water.
At the 2025 Australian Open Water Championships, Cameron went stroke for stroke with the nation’s best in her age group, bagging silver in both the 7.5km and 5km events, missing gold by mere fractions of a second.
Those performances earned her a spot at the Australian Flippers Open Water Camp in Lennox Head.
She’s just as dominant in the pool, winning gold in the 1500m Freestyle at the 2025 SA Open Long Course Championships, and stacking up podium finishes at the State Age Champs and 2024 Short Course meet — including three gold, one silver, and two bronze.
Back in open water, she added bronze at the 2024 Queensland Open Water Championships and went double gold in the 7.5km and 5km races at the 2025 SA Open Water Championships — taking out both the Open and Age titles.
With her selection in both the SA Open Water Flippers Squad and the Pool Development Squad for 2025/26, Cameron is proving she’s got the stamina, strength and mindset to go the distance — no matter where the lane ropes end.
Sutton Miller
Age: 14
Club: Unley
Main Strokes: Freestyle (Pool and Open Water) and Individual Medley (IM)
Favourite Races: 400m IM and 5km Open Water
Whether she’s powering through a 400m IM or tackling kilometres of open water, Sutton Miller thrives in the deep end.
The Unley all-rounder is one of South Australia’s most promising young talents across pool and open water – and she’s already making serious waves at just 14.
Miller struck gold in the 400m IM at the 2024 SA Short Course Championships, then traded the walls for the waves to win the 5km 13/14-year girls title at the 2024 SA Open Water Championships.
She even held her own against seniors, taking bronze in the Elite Women’s 1.5km at the 2025 Brighton Jetty Classic.
At the 2025 Australian Open Water Championships in Busselton, WA, she grabbed a national bronze in the 15-year girls 5km.
She also represented SA at the 2024 Queensland Open Water States, gaining valuable interstate race experience.
Now part of the 2025/26 SA Open Water Flippers Squad, Miller is building a name as a tough, technical and fearless competitor.
If there’s a long course ahead — she’s all in.
Fred Hassell
Age: 16
Club: Kent Town
Main Stroke: Freestyle
Favourite Race: 50m Freestyle
When it comes to pure speed, Fred Hassell is South Australia’s answer to the sprinting question.
The Kent Town sprinter has been making waves by smashing records and blitzing the competition.
At the 2024 Australian Open Short Course Championships, Hassell broke the South Australian All Comers record in the boys 15-year 50m freestyle — a mark once held by none other than Olympic champ Kyle Chalmers.
He backed that up with a bronze medal at the 2025 Australian Age Championships in the 50m Freestyle, cementing his spot among the nation’s fastest juniors.
Domestically, Hassell showed no mercy at the 2024 SA Short Course Championships, taking home gold in both the 50m and 100m Freestyle.
With lightning-fast starts and a killer finish, Hassell’s sprinting career is only heating up.
Logan Rieck
Age: 16
Club: Norwood
Main Strokes: Backstroke and Butterfly
Favourite Race: 100m Backstroke
Fast, fierce, and technically sharp — Logan Rieck is a backstroke and butterfly weapon who keeps rewriting the record books.
The Norwood swimmer holds a stack of South Australian age records, including the 15- and 16-year-old 50m and 100m Backstroke, plus the 16-year-old 100m Butterfly.
And just to flex a little harder, he recently broke his own 100m Fly short course record at the Winter Waves meet.
At the 2025 Australian Championships in Brisbane, Rieck delivered on the national stage, picking up silver in both the 200m and 50m Backstroke, and a bronze in the 100m — a full sweep of backstroke medals against top-tier talent.
His standout season earned him selection in the 2025/26 SA Flippers Squad, as well as an invitation to the elite Next Wave Camp at the AIS, where the country’s best young swimmers come to sharpen their edge.
With a powerful stroke and a proven hunger for the podium, Rieck’s making it clear — he’s not just chasing times.
He’s chasing greatness.
Tom Ainsworth (MC)
Age: 15
Club: Southern Performance
Main Stroke: Freestyle
Favourite Races: 100m and 200m Freestyle
Tom Ainsworth is a force in the water — a rising multi-class sprint star who’s been stacking up medals, records and PBs across both state and national competitions.
Competing in the S10 classification, Ainsworth holds multiple Australian short course records, including the 200m and 400m Freestyle, and he’s no stranger to the podium.
At the 2025 Australian Age Championships, he powered to silver in the 100m Freestyle MC and bronze in the 200m Freestyle MC, showing his class in the country’s top age-group arena.
On the home front, Ainsworth owns a collection of South Australian MC records across freestyle and butterfly — and was crowned the 2025 SA Multi-Class Open Champion with golds in the 50m Fly, 50m, 100m and 200m Freestyle.
He also turned heads at the recent World Trials in Adelaide, clocking four personal bests and reaching a final — a major step in his growing career.
Now part of the 2025/26 SA Flippers Multi-Class Squad, Ainsworth is flying the flag proudly for SA, proving that no challenge is too big when speed, strength and heart are on your side.
Alinta Dingwall
Age: 17
Club: Immanuel
Main Strokes: Freestyle and Individual Medley (IM)
Favourite Race: 200m Freestyle
A leader in and out of the pool, Alinta Dingwall has been a cornerstone of South Australia’s swimming scene — combining talent, consistency and a cool head under pressure.
The Immanuel swimmer was named Female Swimmer of the Meet at the 2024 SA State Age Championships, receiving the Peter Bowen Paine Development Trophy in recognition of her outstanding all-round performances.
A strong freestyle and IM specialist, her favourite event — the 200m Freestyle — showcases her smooth technique and fierce competitive drive.
Dingwall has been a national finalist every year since 2021, proving she’s not just talented but dependable at the highest level.
She’s also proudly led her peers as captain of the SA School Sport State team in both 2024 and 2025.
With four years of national-level experience behind her and more to come, Dingwall continues to lead by example — one race at a time.
Milli Liemar
Age: 14
Club: Kent Town
Main Stroke: Freestyle
Favourite Races: 50m and 100m Freestyle
Milli Liemar is a rising sprint star with a taste for speed.
The Kent Town flyer shone on the national stage with a bronze medal at the 2024 Australian School Sport Swimming Championships — a breakout moment that put her firmly on the radar.
She recently took things up a notch by competing at the Australian Trials, where she soaked up the experience alongside some of her biggest swimming heroes — a dream moment for any young athlete.
A former state record holder in the 13-year girls 50m Freestyle, Liemar knows what it takes to break barriers — and that early milestone continues to fuel her determination.
With selection into the 2025/26 SA Development Flippers Squad, Liemar’s progress and potential are being recognised at every turn.
Keep an eye on her in those 50m and 100m sprints.
Mia Jayne Weston
Age: 13
Club: Marion
Main Strokes: Freestyle and Individual Medley (IM)
Favourite Races: 400m IM and 1500m Freestyle
Don’t let her age fool you — Mia Jayne Weston is already making serious noise in the distance and medley ranks.
The Marion young gun broke a longstanding SA record in the 12-year-old 400m Freestyle (short course) in 2024, clocking an eye-catching 4:35.33 to erase a mark that had stood since 2017.
She’s since piled up medals at both the SA Short and Long Course State Championships, with gold in the 200m IM, 200m Freestyle and 400m IM — proving her versatility across tough, tactical events.
At the NSW State Championships, Weston brought home bronze in the 1500m Freestyle and 400m IM, taking on some of the strongest age-group swimmers in the country.
She carried that form into the 2025 Australian Age Championships, where she earned national bronze in the 1500m, and top-eight finishes in the 800m Freestyle and 400m IM.
Now part of the 2025/26 SA Flippers Development Squad, Weston is one of the state’s brightest young prospects — with serious staying power, big goals, and the results to match.
Natasha Linke
Age: 13
Club: Kent Town
Main Strokes: Butterfly and Freestyle
Favourite Races: 100m and 200m Butterfly
Explosive, consistent and cool under pressure — Natasha Linke has had a season to remember.
The Kent Town flyer made a national splash at the 2025 Australian Age Championships, reaching A-Finals in both the 100m and 200m Butterfly, and powering to bronze in the 200m Fly.
She also qualified for the B-Final in the 100m Freestyle and hit 10 National Age Qualifying Times across the season.
Her breakout moment came at the 2024 SA State Short Course Championships, where she was simply unstoppable — taking home eight gold medals and two bronze, and breaking both the SA State and All Comers records in the 50m and 100m Freestyle (short course).
That kind of speed doesn’t go unnoticed.
At the 2025 State Age Long Course Champs, Linke added another nine medals to her haul (4 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze), confirming her place as one of the top all-rounders in the state.
She’s now a proud member of the 2025/26 SA Development Flippers Squad and the SA School Sport Team, with big goals and plenty of momentum behind her.
The butterfly may be her favourite — but Linke’s swimming career is soaring in all directions.
Samara Connley (MC)
Age: 12
Club: Immanuel
Main Stroke: Freestyle
Favourite Race: 50m Freestyle
Young in age but huge in talent, Samara Connley is already making a name for herself as one of South Australia’s most exciting young multi-class swimmers.
Competing in the S9 classification, Connley had a standout 2025 season — setting five SA records for 12 years & under across freestyle and backstroke events.
At the 2025 Australian Age Championships, she showed she could hold her own on the national stage, finishing 4th in both the 50m and 100m Freestyle, 5th in the 100m Backstroke, and 6th in the 50m Backstroke.
It was a bold and brilliant performance that placed her among the top multi-class competitors in the country for her age.
With a fast finish and a fearless attitude, Connley is just getting started — and that favourite 50m Freestyle Australian podium finish?
She’s coming for it.
Jasmine Linke
Age: 15
Club: Kent Town
Main Strokes: Freestyle and Backstroke
Favourite Races: 100m Freestyle and 100m Backstroke
Jasmine Linke has proven herself to be a consistent contender across both freestyle and backstroke, bringing speed and versatility.
At the 2024 SA State Short Course Championships, she made a big splash with four gold medals and a bronze, then backed it up with an impressive six-medal haul at the 2025 SA State Age Long Course Championships — including two gold, two silver, and two bronze.
Linke took that momentum to the national stage, qualifying for eight events at the 2025 Australian Age Championships, and earning B-Final spots in both the 100m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle — her two favourite races.
With her continued rise, Linke has earned a well-deserved place in the 2025/26 SA Development Flippers Squad and the SA School Sport Swimming Team.
With poise, power and a packed medal cabinet already, Linke is diving straight into a big future.
Saoirse Hanniffy
Age: 14
Club: Marion
Main Strokes: Freestyle and Butterfly
Favourite Races: 50m and 100m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly
Saoirse Hanniffy is one of South Australia’s brightest sprint prospects, blazing a trail with her speed and determination.
In 2025, she celebrated a major breakthrough, winning bronze in the 50m Freestyle at the Australian Age Championships — a milestone that’s just the start of what’s sure to be a thrilling career.
One of her season highlights was qualifying for the Australian Trials in Adelaide, her top competition goal, where she smashed her personal best in the 50m Freestyle — proving she’s ready to race with the nation’s best.
With her sharp sprints and fierce butterfly, Hanniffy is a swimmer to watch as she strokes into the future.
Jessica Osborn
Age: 15
Club: Marion
Main Strokes: Freestyle and Butterfly
Favourite Race: 1500m Freestyle
Jessica Osborn is a powerhouse in the middle-distance pool events, showing both stamina and speed across freestyle and butterfly.
Her standout moment came at the 2025 Australian Age Championships, where she claimed bronze in the 1500m Freestyle and placed in the top eight in six other events — including a near-podium 4th in the 800m Freestyle and 200m Butterfly.
Osborn’s impressive range covers everything from the 100m sprints up to the 1500m, making her a versatile and valuable asset for South Australia’s rising swimming talents.
Now a member of the 2025/26 South Australian Development Flippers Squad, Osborn is building momentum as a swimmer to watch in a range of distance races.
Clara Fay
Age: 14
Club: Norwood
Main Strokes: Freestyle and Butterfly
Favourite Race: 100m Butterfly
Clara Fay is making her mark as a strong and determined competitor in South Australia’s swimming ranks.
She proudly represented the state in the 2024 School Sports Team and earned qualification for the 2025 Australian National Age Championships in Brisbane.
At Nationals, Fay impressed by making the A final in the 100m Butterfly, finishing a solid 6th, and placing 11th in the 50m Butterfly.
Back on home soil, she shone brightest at the 2025 SA State Age Championships, where she claimed gold in the 100m Butterfly — her signature event.
With solid national experience and state-level success under her belt, Fay is steadily rising in South Australia’s swimming ranks.
Oscar Dingwall
Age: 16
Club: Immanuel
Main Strokes: Breaststroke and Individual Medley (IM)
Favourite Races: 200m Breaststroke and 400m IM
Oscar Dingwall has had a standout season, earning the prestigious Peter Bowen Paine Development Trophy for Male Swimmer of the Meet at the 2025 SA State Age Championships.
His performances have set him apart in the breaststroke and IM events.
Dingwall holds multiple South Australian age records, including the 15-year-old 50m and 100m Breaststroke (Long Course) and the 200m Breaststroke (Short Course) — a testament to his speed and technique in the pool.
As captain of the Immanuel Piranhas, Dingwall leads both in and out of the water.
He has been a consistent national finalist throughout the 2024/25 season and proudly represented South Australia in multiple School Sport State teams.
With his combination of skill, leadership and determination, Dingwall is a driving force in South Australian swimming.
Thomas Spark
Age: 16
Club: Kent Town
Main Stroke: Freestyle
Favourite Race: 200m Freestyle
Thomas Spark made a splash in 2025 with a standout season that showcased his speed and consistency in freestyle events.
At the South Australian State Age Championships, Spark claimed gold in the 200m Freestyle, along with bronze medals in both the 50m and 100m Freestyle, proving his strength across sprint and middle distances.
Earlier in the season, he impressed at the SA State Relay Championships, posting the fastest split time of the meet — a sign of his explosive power in the water.
In April, Spark took his talents to the national stage, representing Kent Town at the Australian Age Championships in Brisbane, gaining valuable experience against the country’s best.
Recognised for his steady improvement and competitive edge, Spark has earned selection in the 2025/26 South Australian Development Flippers Squad, ready to take on the next challenge.
Paige Duffy (MC)
Age: 12
Club: Clovercrest
Main Stroke: Breaststroke
Favourite Races: 100m and 200m Breaststroke
At just 12, Paige Duffy is already rewriting the record books as one of South Australia’s most impressive multi-class swimmers.
Competing in the S14 and S19 classifications, she holds five open-aged state records and 23 state records for 12 and under in long course, plus six open-aged short course records.
Duffy’s national breakthrough came at the 2025 Australian Age Championships in Brisbane, where she qualified for nine events and claimed four medals — including silver in the 50m Butterfly and bronze in the 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, and 100m Breaststroke, all while smashing three new state records.
She followed that with a strong showing at the Australian Trials, where as the youngest athlete in her category she earned a bronze in the 50m Backstroke and set two more state records.
Duffy is gearing up for her third trip to Brisbane to represent South Australia at the School Sport Australia Swimming Championships, and earlier this year competed in the SA multi-class relay team at the Open Aged National Short Course Championships.
With her eyes firmly on Brisbane 2032, Duffy is a rising star.
Flora Braithwaite (MC)
Age: 12
Club: Kent Town
Main Strokes: Freestyle and Backstroke
Favourite Race: 400m Freestyle
Flora Braithwaite has had a standout season, making waves as one of South Australia’s top emerging para-swimmers.
At the 2024 School Sports Australia Swimming Championships, she claimed three bronze medals in the 50m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, and 200m Freestyle — proving her versatility and competitive edge.
In 2025, Braithwaite continued to impress at the Australian Age Championships, setting two state records in the S10 classification for the 100m and 200m Freestyle.
Her remarkable progress has earned her a spot in the 2025/26 South Australian Development Multi-Class Flippers Squad, where she’ll continue to build on her promising career.
With determination and talent on her side, Braithwaite is a swimmer to watch in the years ahead.
Emily Findlay
Age: 14
Club: Unley
Main Stroke: Freestyle (Pool and Open Water)
Favourite Race: 800m Freestyle
Emily Findlay has made waves both in the pool and open water during an outstanding 2025 season.
At the Australian Open Water Championships in Busselton, WA, she finished a strong 5th in the 14-year-old girls 5km, demonstrating her endurance and skill beyond the pool.
She carried that momentum to the 2025 Australian Age Championships in Brisbane, where she claimed silver in the 13-year-old girls 1500m Freestyle and earned a finalist spot in the 800m Freestyle.
Findlay is one of only two athletes selected for both the 2025 South Australian Flippers Development Squad (pool) and the Open Water Development Squad, highlighting her versatility across disciplines.
At the 2025 SA State Long Course Championships, she collected six medals, including gold in the 400m, 800m, and 1500m Freestyle events.
She also earned silver in the 13–14-year girls 5km at the SA State Open Water Championships.
At the 2025 Brighton Jetty Classic, Findlay was the age group winner in both the 400m and 1500m Open Water races and took silver in the 400m Elite Women’s event, racing against swimmers of all ages.
Findlay’s stamina, speed, and adaptability make her a standout talent in South Australia’s swimming scene.
Jessica Louw (MC)
Age: 17
Club: Western Aquatic
Main Strokes: Freestyle, Backstroke and Breaststroke
Favourite Race: 50m Freestyle
Multi-class swimmer Jessica Louw is steadily making waves in both South Australian and national competitions.
Originally from Broken Hill’s Silver City Swimming Club, she now trains with Western Aquatic in Adelaide, where she continues to push her limits.
At the 2024 Short Course State Championships, Louw not only recorded significant personal bests but also achieved national qualifying times in able-bodied events — a remarkable milestone for a multi-class athlete.
Louw currently holds multiple South Australian Open and Age Group multi-class records in the 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, and 50m Backstroke.
This season, she’s been honing her Breaststroke, a fresh focus that’s already paying dividends.
At the 2025 Australian Championships, Louw competed in five multi-class events, earning bronze in the 50m Backstroke, while also securing a national qualifying time in the able-bodied 50m Backstroke.
Her strong form has earned her qualification for the Australian World Trials in both the 50m Backstroke and Breaststroke, and selection to represent Australia at the upcoming Virtus Games in Bangkok — an exciting step on her rising career path.
Jobe Bevan
Age: 14
Club: Unley
Main Strokes: Freestyle (Pool and Open Water), Butterfly and Individual Medley (IM)
Favourite Race: 5km Open Water
Jobe Bevan is excelling in freestyle, butterfly, and IM and his passion extends to open water and triathlon, proving he’s an all-round athlete with serious stamina.
His standout performances have earned him a well-deserved spot in South Australia’s Open Water Development Squad.
In the pool, Bevan has consistently secured podium finishes at State Championships, demonstrating speed and skill across multiple strokes.
Not just a swimmer, Jobe also represents South Australia in triathlon, selected for the 2024/25 School Sport State Triathlon Team, showcasing his endurance and versatility in multi-sport competition.
With his broad skill set and competitive drive, Bevan is one to watch as he continues to grow across both swimming and triathlon.
Izabella Demasi-Chapman
Age: 17
Club: Marion
Main Strokes: Freestyle and Butterfly
Favourite Race: 100m Butterfly
Izabella Demasi-Chapman is a rising star with strong national credentials and a growing reputation in freestyle and butterfly events.
Her standout achievement includes winning silver in the relay at the 2024 Australian Short Course Championships, showcasing her ability to perform on big stages.
A multiple-time national finalist at the Australian Age Championships, Demasi-Chapman’s talent and dedication earned her selection for the prestigious Next Wave Camp at the AIS in July — a nod from Swimming Australia marking her as one of the country’s most promising young swimmers.
With strong performances and national recognition behind her, Demasi-Chapman is poised for continued success in the pool.
Sofia Carboni (MC)
Age: 15
Club: Barossa
Main Strokes: Freestyle, Backstroke and Butterfly
Favourite Race: 50m Freestyle
Multi-class swimmer Sofia Carboni has had an exceptional season, making her mark across state and national meets.
At the 2024 SA Short Course Championships, Carboni claimed silver medals in the 50m Butterfly and 50m Backstroke, along with bronze in the 100m Individual Medley — showcasing her versatility and competitive edge.
She then broke eight State Multi-Class Records (S19 classification) at the 2024 Christmas Cracker Meet, spanning both age group and open categories, including the 50m Freestyle, 50m and 100m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly, and 200m IM.
At the 2025 SA Country Championships, Carboni brought home four gold and one silver medal, while setting four new State Multi-Class Records in the 50m Butterfly and 100m Freestyle (both age group and open).
Her standout performance continued at the 2025 Australian Multi-Class Age Championships in Brisbane, where she broke three more State Records in the 50m Butterfly, 50m Backstroke, and 200m IM — making it her favourite meet to date.
With an incredible haul of records and medals, Carboni is a shining star in South Australia’s multi-class swimming community.
Ava White
Age: 15
Club: Clare
Main Strokes: Freestyle and Butterfly
Favourite Races: 50m Freestyle and 50m Butterfly
Hailing from Clare Swimming Club, Ava White is flying the flag for South Australia’s country swimming community — and making a name for herself doing it.
At the 2025 SA Country Championships in Mount Gambier, White impressed with gold in the 50m Freestyle, and bronze in both the 50m Butterfly and 400m Freestyle.
She then stepped up again at the 2025 State Age Championships, reaching the finals in both her sprint events — and shaved a huge five seconds off her butterfly PB, clocking a rapid 30.00 seconds.
Over the 2024/25 summer season, White packed her calendar with competition, all while juggling extra holiday training in Adelaide at the Marion pool under a personalised program.
Her sights are now firmly set on qualifying for Nationals.
White’s hard work has earned her selection to represent South Australia at the upcoming School Sport Australia Championships in Brisbane — a milestone moment in her rising career.
With drive, talent and a country work ethic behind her, White is a name to watch.
Harri Ware
Age: 14
Club: West Coast
Main Strokes: Backstroke, Breaststroke and Individual Medley (IM)
Favourite Race: 100m Breaststroke
Harri Ware may be a newcomer to competitive swimming, but the West Coast swimmer is already turning heads with his rapid progress and fierce determination.
Since diving into the sport in mid-2022, Ware has wasted no time making his mark.
At the 2025 SA Country Championships in Mount Gambier, he was awarded the Klieve Perpetual Trophy for best male performance (12–13 years) — a standout achievement in just his second full season.
In March, Ware raised the bar again by setting a new South Australian Country record in the 400m IM at the State Long Course Championships, solidifying his status as one of the state’s most exciting young talents.
Next up, Ware will represent South Australia at the School Sport Australia National Championships in Brisbane — a huge opportunity for this rising country star.
Neil Cregan
Age: 16
Club: Barossa
Main Strokes: Backstroke and Butterfly
Favourite Race: 100m Backstroke
A standout from South Australia’s country ranks, Neil Cregan continues to prove that regional swimmers can punch well above their weight.
At the 2025 SA Country Championships in Mount Gambier, Cregan took home the coveted Rogers Trophy for best 14–15-year-old male, thanks to a dominant performance that saw him win gold in the 200m and 400m Individual Medley and the 400m Freestyle.
Cregan backed up his strong country form with a berth at the 2025 Australian Age Championships in Brisbane, where he proudly represented Barossa in the 200m Backstroke. His success has also earned him selection for the School Sport Australia Championships, set to return to Brisbane later this year.
With his strong backstroke and medley results, Cregan continues to lead the charge for country swimming in South Australia.
Luke Heness
Age: 11
Club: Jamestown
Main Strokes: Backstroke and Butterfly
Favourite Race: 100m Backstroke
Don’t let his age fool you — Luke Heness is already a standout in South Australia’s country swimming scene.
The Jamestown dynamo had a stellar meet at the 2025 SA Country Championships, collecting an impressive six medals, including gold in the 100m Backstroke, silver in the 200m IM, 50m and 100m Butterfly, and bronze in the 50m Backstroke and 200m Freestyle.
Proving he can mix it with the best in the state too, Heness backed it up at the 2025 State Age Long Course Championships, again taking gold in the 100m Backstroke and three silvers in the 200m IM and both Butterfly sprints.
Now, he’s gearing up to represent SA at the 2025 Australian School Sport Championships in Ballarat — proudly flying the flag for both regional swimmers and the 12 & Under state team.
With a powerful backstroke and fearless approach to racing, Heness is one to watch.
