Ex-swim coach Caroline Hayes celebrates Jack Cartwright’s Olympic medal
Former Gladstone swim coach Caroline Hayes remembers a young Jack Cartwright as ‘hard-working and humble’. She recounts his amazing journey from local pool decks to the dais in Paris.
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Caroline Hayes took great delight in writing a special congratulatory message this week.
It was sent to Jack Cartwright not long after he won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics.
The freestyle specialist was the lead swimmer in the Australian 4x100m relay team that stormed into second place behind the USA.
It was the first Olympic medal for Jack, who Caroline coached in his formative years at the Gladstone Gladiators Swimming Club.
“It was very exciting to watch,” his former coach said.
“I sent him a message, and one to his parents (Brad and Michelle).
“I told Jack that I was over the moon that he had done so well.
“I know I said: ‘Happy to see your effort and Team Australia’s effort’.”
The dais in Paris is a long way from Biloela, the Central Queensland town where Cartwright’s swimming career started at age three.
After several years, Jack and his old brothers started training with Caroline in Gladstone, their mum embarking on the three-hour round trip daily to take them to training.
The family relocated to Tannum in 2008, and Jack continued to flourish.
Caroline recalls how, as a youngster, Jack actually loved swimming butterfly though freestyle was a close second.
“He was talented and hard-working and just gave it everything,” she said.
“He was very humble and a great team player.
“Those things were evident right from the start and I’ve seen that carry through.”
Caroline took Jack to the nationals in 2013, the same year in which she retired from her decorated coaching career.
Jack moved to Brisbane on a scholarship at St Peter’s Lutheran School in early 2014.
His swimming went from strength to strength and in 2016, he won six medals, including four gold, at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships.
His resume also includes the 2017 world championships, the 2018 Pan Pacs and Commonwealth Games, and the 2022 and 2023 world championships.
His resume also includes the 2017 world championships, the 2018 Pan Pacs and Commonwealth Games, and the 2022 and 2023 world championships.
Jack now trains under Dean Boxall at St Peters Western Swim Club.
Caroline said it was amazing to see her charges reach such heights.
“I’m hoping he’ll keep going because he’s actually still quite young,” she said.
“It will be interesting to see what he does because obviously, it’s a big thing for them to spend so much time training.
“I think he’s done really, really well to achieve what he has.”
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