Minna Atherton makes Australian Dolphins team bound for the world swimming championships

A little over 12 months ago Minna Atherton had so much time on her hands at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, she was the Dolphins’ chief cheerleader. Now the brilliant backstroke prospect will have no time on her hands after world championship selection.

A little over 12 months ago, Brisbane Grammar Swimming Club’s Minna Atherton had so much time on her hands at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, she was the Dolphins’ chief cheerleader.

Fast forward to 2019 and the brilliant backstroke prospect has found herself in the Australian team again, this time in a 27-person squad bound for the world championships in South Korea where there will be little time for cheerleading.

Atherton will compete in the 100m and 200m backstroke, and was likely to contribute to the 4x100m medley relay team.

Australian swimmer Minna Atherton in action. (AAP Image/Darren England)

“Her Commonwealth Games’ contribution was around 28 seconds in the pool,’’ said her coach David Lush in reference to Atherton’s only swim, a 50m backstroke event late in competition.

“This (selection) has broader significance given she is in the 100m and 200m will be in contention for the 4x100 relay.’’

Atherton, a past student of Milton State School and Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School, has been churning away for six years under Lush while also learning from the best, her training partner Emily Seebohm.

Australian swimmer Minna Atherton at the national trials. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Now the teen has taken her game up a gear since missing Australian selection for last year’s Pan Pacs.

Lush believed Atherton had found her feet and adjusted to life as a full-time athlete and University student. He said finding the balance between pursuing excellence in and out of the pool “takes time to manage’’.

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“It is a fairly substantial exercise and that transformation from high school to Uni student, she has taken time to get used to. But she has found that footing.’’

Australian swimmer Minna Atherton starts fastest. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Atherton is the beneficiary of a the Georgina Hope Rinehart Swimming Excellence Scholarship which means most days she drives from the Brisbane CBD to Bond University on the Gold Coast.

This after starting her day in the Grammar pool at 6am, and then finishing her day in the Grammar pool with the afternoon training sessions.

“This effort is a testimony to the hard work she has done,’’ Lush said. “She will find it (Australian selection) very validating, seeing the effort she has put in and seeing the return she is getting.’’