How rising Queensland distance swim champion Samuel Short rebounded from disappointment

Read how a rising Queensland distance swimmer who is shadowing the age records of Aussie champions Mack Horton, Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett has rebounded back hard after enduring two setbacks.

Champion youth distance swimmer Samuel Short has bounced back the emotional let-down of having a place in the junior Australian swimming team pulled from beneath him by the COVID-19 crisis.

The 16-year-old from the Albany Creek swim club would have made the national side bound for the Junior Pan Pacs in Hawaii this year, with a letter from Swimming Australia stating he was just about over line for selection.

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“I know I’m on the track. My drive has only gotten stronger since the cancellation,’’ Short said.

Richard Sleight, head coach Albany Creek Swim Club, loves Short’s work ethic. (AAP Image/Regi Varghese)

Short, who along with Ella Ramsay was a surprise omission from last year’s Australian world junior team, said last year’s disappointed - coupled with this year’s Junior Pan Pacs cancellation - hit him hard.

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“I was a huge contender for the team and to miss it because of something else hit me hard emotionally,’’ said Short, who is also a champion surf live saver at the Maroochydore SLSC.

“I was extremely sad for about two weeks because I had trained for eight months for nationals, and I won’t be able to represent Australia.’’

Albany Creek's Samuel Short after one of his medal hauls last year. .

But the Prince of Peace School student said he gained peace knowing in 12 months time he would be an even better swimmer.

“I’ll be a better swimmer in 12 months regardless, and I will be a contender for open teams,’’ he said.

“I had a good period of some big sleep ins, I’ve grown a lot physically and I believe I’m stronger mentally because of it.

“Everyone is in the same boat and I know I can bounce back stronger than most.’’

Rebecca Jacobson, a training partner of Short’s at Albany Creek, made last year’s world junior team and finished with two relay medals. (AAP Image/Regi Varghese)

Last year he moved to second place on the Australian all-time 15 years category for 800m and 1500m behind the legendary Ian Thorpe.

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Earlier in 2019 he zoomed past Grant Hackett’s 15 years 800m long course Queensland record.

Also last year at the age nationals, Short hurt won the 15 years 400m freestyle in 3:56.05 after shaving an amazing 14 seconds off his previous personal best in the 1500m.

Short’s coach Richard Sleight has said in the past Short was a “very talented young man’’ but critically also had a work ethic to match his ability.