Gympie region future swimming champions | Full list
From pocket rockets making their debuts at a state level, to those smashing their personal bests and doing the region proud, we celebrate the rising stars of the pool as nominated by their coaches and clubs. See the full list here:
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The thrill of Australia’s domination in the pool at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games has been a thing of great pride and joy, with our successful swim team bringing home 65 medals — 25 gold, 21 silver and 19 bronze.
Each of those superstars started their swimming career in a club like those that nurture and challenge the swim stars of the Gympie region.
More than 20 Gympie region swimmers have been nominated as the next champions of the pool.
The Gympie Times spoke to the Gympie Gold Fins, who recently had 18 swimmers attend the Wide Bay Championships, and the Kilkivan Stingrays.
The Gympie Times also reached out to other swimming clubs in the region, but did not receive a response by deadline.
See the full list of swimming champions below:
Ethan Giles – Gympie Gold Fins
Ethan Giles, 10, took home two bronze medals at the Wide Bay Championships in August 2022, and was recently selected for the The Elite Wide Bay Patrons Shield Team. He is also apart of the Australian JX Junior Excellence Gold squad and the Wide Bay Stingers squad team.
Daisy – Kilkivan Stingrays
Daisy, 10, only began swimming competitively last season but already is proving her potential in the pool. Coach Krystle Power said Daisy had already “smashed” her personal bests in the water and “came very close to Wide Bay champion” recently.
Joshua Maher – Gympie Gold Fins
Joshua Maher was one of 18 swimmers from the Gympie Gold Fins to attend the Wide Bay championships in August. But, along with club president and fellow Gold Fins swimmer Justin Giles, Joshua broke the record for the 50m breaststroke.
Mia Power – Kilkivan Stingrays
Nine-year-old Mia Power has been swimming competitively for two seasons and has already taken home a number of medals, according to coach Krystle Power. She described Mia as “very self driven” and as a passionate swimmer. Her best stroke in the pool is freestyle.
Isabelle Reeman – Gympie Gold Fins
Isabelle Reeman recently attended the Wide Bay Championships and was one of two Gold Fins swimmers to make the Wide Bay Stingers squad. During the two-day championship event, Isabelle also beat her personal best in the water.
Taj Berigan – Kilkivan Stingrays
Taj Berigan, 11, made his state championships debut last season. Coach Krystle Power said he showed “great potential” in the pool.
Chloe Maher – Gympie Gold Fins
Chloe Maher, 11, completely smashed her personal best six times at the Wide Bay Swimming Championships in August. Her highest achievement was competing in the State Sprint Championships, and she is currently apart of the Australian JX Junior Excellence Bronze squad.
Mila Van Itallie – Kilkivan Stingrays
Mila Van Itallie, 10, was described by coach Krystle Power as the Stingrays’ “little pocket rocket”. She made her state championships debut last season. “(She) trains hard and really gets out what she puts in,” Ms Power said. Mila’s best stroke in the water is butterfly.
Caleb Pelling – Gympie Gold Fins
Caleb Pelling, 12, took home one bronze medal during the Wide Bay Swimming Championships and beat his personal best in the water. His highest achievement was competing in the state sprint and Short Course Championships. He is currently a part of the Aus JX Junior Excellence bronze squad.
Roma Lehmann – Kilkivan Stingrays
Nine-year-old Roma Lehmann was described by coach Krystle Power as a hardworking swimmer who loves the sport and loves competing. “(She) shows great sportsmanship,” Ms Power said. Roma’s best stroke in the water is butterfly.
Evie Reeman – Gympie Gold Fins
Gympie Gold Fins champion Evie Reeman, 14, dominated the Wide Bay Championship and “led the way” for younger swimmers at the event, winning three bronze medals. Her highest achievement is competing in the State Championships and making the top 10 in the Queensland high school championships.
Cruz Prescott – Kilkivan Stingrays
Cruz Prescott, 11, “hardly misses a training session” according to coach Krystle Power. In one season, he moved up an entire squad level. “(He) works super hard (and) always has a positive attitude,” Ms Power said. His best stroke in the pool is freestyle.
Hamish Pelling – Gympie Gold Fins
Hamish Pelling, 14, was named as the biggest improver of the Gympie Gold Fins team during the Wide Bay Championship. He beat his personal best in the water and placed fourth in the 800m freestyle. He is currently apart of the Australian JX Junior Excellence bronze squad, and his highest achievement was competing in the State Sprint Championships.
Addison Cooke – Kilkivan Stingrays
Addison Cooke started training and swimming competitively with the Kilkivan Stingrays two seasons ago. In her first season, she was awarded two state sprint qualifying times. “She just loves swimming,” coach Krystle Power said. Addison’s best stroke in the water is backstroke.
Mackinley Buchannan – Gympie Gold Fins
Mackinley Buchannan, 11, dominated the pool during the Wide Bay Championships in August when she finished among the top 10 swimmers in the 25m freestyle. Her highest achievement was competing in the State Short Course Championships, and she is currently apart of the Australian JX Junior Excellence Blue squad.
Lochlan Maher – Gympie Gold Fins
Lochlan Maher, 14, finished among the top 10 swimmers four times throughout the Wide Bay Championships. His highest achievement to-date is having competed in the State Sprint Championships, and he is currently a part of the Australian JX Junior Excellence blue squad.
Isabella Bryant – Gympie Gold Fins
Isabelle Bryant, 13, dominated in the pool during the Wide Bay Championships, finishing among the top 10 in the 800m freestyle event. Her highest achievement was competing in the Wide Bay Short and Long Course competitions. She is currently apart of the Australian JX Junior Excellence blue squad.
Lucas Rebhein – Gympie Gold Fins
Lucas Rebhein, 13, was smashing goals left and right at the Wide Bay Championships in August, after he beat four personal best times and made two top 10 finishes. His highest achievement was competing in the State Sprint and Short Course Championships.
Kyaih Purvis – Gympie Gold Fins
Kyaih Purvis, 13, was a top 10 finisher in the Wide Bay Championship in August. Her highest achievement was competing in the State Sprint and Short Course Championships. She is currently apart of the Australian JX Junior Excellence Blue squad.
Esther Davies – Gympie Gold Fins
Esther Davies, 15, excelled at the Wide Bay Swimming championships when she took home one silver and one bronze medal. She also made the 2023 Qld Development Squad and Wide Bay Piranhas Squad. Her favourite stroke in the pool is 200m freestyle.
Vanessa North – Gympie Gold Fins
Vanessa North, 15, finished at the Wide Bay swimming championships with one bronze medal and four top ten finishes. Her favourite event is the 50m freestyle.
Tamalyn Boese – Gympie Gold Fins
Tamalyn Boese, 15, took home one silver medal and three bronze medals after the Wide Bay Championships. Her highest achievement was making the State Championships, and her favourite stroke in the water was freestyle.
Blake Sutton – Gympie Gold Fins
Blake Sutton, 12, took home two silver medals at the Wide Bay Championships and beat his personal best in the water. His highest achievement was having competed in the State Short Course Championships.
Will Reeman - Gympie Gold Fins
Will Reeman, 10, was among the top 10 finishers in the 50m freestyle at the Wide Bay Championships in August. Competing in the championships was his highest achievement, and he is currently apart of the Australian JX Junior Excellence Blue squad.
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