Early starts contributing to rapid rise of swimmer Anneke van Zoggel

Anneke van Zoggel will face the biggest challenge of her emerging swimming career this month when she travels to Adelaide for the 2019 Australian age championships.

Anneke van Zoggel is a nominee for the Hills Shire Times 2019 Local Sports Star awards.

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Anneke van Zoggel will face the biggest challenge of her emerging swimming career this month when she travels to Adelaide for the 2019 Australian age championships.

The 14-year-old from Baulkham Hills will be competing in five individual events at this year’s nationals.

It follows a stellar showing at the 2019 NSW state open championships.

Although she’s anticipating a tough challenge in her national debut, Anneke is keeping an open and positive mind about her chances.

Anneke will be competing in five individual events at nationals. Picture: Photos in a Flash

“I have never competed at such a strong level of competition before, so I am going into it with my expectations low and I’m going to try my best,” she said.

“I am seeded 14th for the 400m individual medley based on my previous times but anything could happen when we get down to Adelaide.”

At the very least, Anneke knows she’s put in the effort when it comes to her training. Her weekly schedule includes four 4.15am wake-ups and two before- and after-school sessions.

“I have had to become a morning person,” she said.

Her training schedule includes four 4.15am starts a week. Picture: Photos in a Flash

“It can be pretty hard at times, especially with assessments and tests. But I do a lot of my work at school so I don’t have a lot of homework to do when I get home.

“I also sometimes wake up early when I don’t train to do my work before school.”