Mollie O’Callaghan has her hands full with swimming and school, but could not be happier

The life of a swimmer is not an easy one and when you throw in a 30km one way commute to training next to the demands of school, you have your hands full. Andrew Dawson reports on the life of rising St Peters Western swimmer Mollie O’Callaghan.

The life of a swimmer is not an easy one and when you throw in a 30km one way commute to training next to the demands of school, you have your hands full.

World junior swimming championships silver medallist Mollie O’Callaghan said juggling her commitments was harder than anything she actually did in the pool. And that is saying something.

WOODRIDGE STATE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WINS INSPIRATION AWARD

O’Callaghan, who won the South West Satellite Local Sports Star award at a gala function on Tuesday, is a fast emerging talent from St Peters Western Swimming Club.

Mollie O'Callaghan swimming for Australia in Budapest. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

She rises early in her Greenbank home to get to Indooroopilly and make the starting whistle of her head coach Dean Boxall.

She will train for almost three hours before munching on breakfast and leaving on a bus to take her back to St Peters Lutheran College in Springfield.

ST PETERS STUDENT GRACE ELLIS AND HER AMAZING YEAR

Then in the afternoon she is back up the highway for another two and a half-hour training stint before returning to Greenbank to study.

Mollie, Toni and Nick O’Callaghan posing at the Quest Local Sports Stars Awards, Queensland Cricketers Club, Brisbane 22nd of October 2019. Photography: J&A Photography

O’Callaghan said training was “very hard physically and mentally’, but that was only part of the challenge.

However, she coped with the juggling act thanks to the support of her school, family, coaches, teammates and friends — and also because she loved swimming.

PHOTO GALLERY OF LOCAL SPORTS STARS AWARD NIGHT

“I like the competition in swimming not only when I swim for myself but also when I swim for my team which maybe my club, state or country. I also enjoy swimming as part of a team in relays. I enjoy training hard. It gives me a sense of satisfaction especially when it helps me get better.’’

Ella Ramsay, Mollie O'Callaghan and Claveria Johnson after winning a swag of medals at the nationals this year. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

Such was her talent, The Greenbank State School past student finished with four, fourth placings and as many personal best times representing Australia at the world juniors.

She then also claimed a relay silver medal.