Sunshine Coast swimmer, cross country star Nellie Pocock sets regional records

A Sunshine Coast rising sports star has set a number of records in the pool while dominating in cross country events, but admits beating her older brothers might still be the best feeling.

Rising Sunshine Coast sports talent Nellie Pocock. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A Sunshine Coast junior athlete has stamped her feet in the primary school ranks with a series of top three finishes and records set in the past 12 months.

Noosaville State School grade six student Nellie Pocock has blitzed the competition in the pool and on the running track as she aims to keep her momentum going for the Australian All Schools swimming titles on the Gold Coast in July.

Since her first race meet in 2021, the Eumundi-based swimmer has since set records in the Noosa District 100m freestyle (1.08.90), 50m freestyle (30.87), 100m freestyle (1.20.75) and 100m backstroke (1.25.75).

Pocock then went on to smash the regional 100m freestyle (1.06.98), 50m freestyle (30.36) and the Wide Bay long course 400m freestyle (5.16.74)

“It feels good and I’m definitely proud of myself,” she said.

“Some of those records have been there since 2004 so to break them and set my own is quite special.”

The underwater missile recently returned from the State swimming championships where she walked away as age champion after collecting a further six podium finishes.

Rising sports star Nellie Pocock in action. Picture: Facebook.

Out of the pool Pocock runs with Race Pace Coaching and has attracted plenty of eyeballs after cross country winning age champion for her district, finishing third at the regionals, fifth at states and 24th at nationals.

After finishing second at the aquathlon state championships, Pocock was the first across the line for her age group at the national champs in Perth.

Pocock is the youngest of three siblings and while her records have her name in lights, she said making her two brothers jealous was just as important.

“It’s all been lots of fun as I’ve experienced a lot and made some great new friends,” she said.

“The medals and times are cool but beating them is also fun.

“They both do great in their sports too but I would say I’m the fastest swimmer.”

Nellie Pocock is also a standout water polo player. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Eumundi Aquatic Centre swim coach Andy Muller said he was proud of what the future may hold.

“Nellie is still a little kid and that’s one of the most important things we look at when we’re in the pool,” he said.

“We have to make sure they’re still having fun and she reminds me of a little lion cub.

“She loves playing around but she’s set a great platform in the pool in terms of her technique, stability, power and so on which will help her as she gets older.”