Making waves

Suzanna Andrews has some words of wisdom for fellow swimmers.

Suzanna Andrews with some of her medals. Pictures: Peter Kelly

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Suzanna Andrews has some words of wisdom for fellow swimmers – “just keep trying”.

Suzanna, of Kenthurst, has put her words into action, resulting in a series of awards this year.

She set five school records at the Ironbark Ridge Public School swimming carnival this year and was named the Junior Girl Age Champion, an achievement she said she was “very happy” with.

“Many people were very surprised because usually Junior Girl Champion is a 10-year-old and they weren’t expecting an eight-year-old to get it,” she said.

Suzanna Andrews training at Annangrove.

In March, Suzanna set one record each at the Ridges Zone Carnival and the Sydney West Regional Carnival, and was named the Ridges Zone Junior Age Champion.

She finished first in the 8 years girls 50m freestyle at this year’s NSW PSSA State Carnival.

“When I finished my race I turned around to see my name come up on the results board first and to see my time was a good PB (personal best) and then I saw my family jumping up and down all excited,” she said.

Suzanna, a member of The Hills Swimming and Life Saving Club and a Junior Sports Star nominee, said a good swimmer needed to “train hard, listen to your coach and love spending lots of time at the pool”.

Local Sports Star nominee Suzanna hopes to compete in the Olympics one day.

Suzanna has broken a number of swimming records this year.

“You need to want to swim faster to get PB’s but if you don’t get a PB, don’t feel bad just keep trying,” she said, adding that she planned to compete in the Olympic Games one day.

“But first I will swim at the Pacific School Games in 2019,” she said.

“I will be 10 years old and you have to be 10 to go.”

Nominations are open for the Local Sports Stars competition.

To nominate, visit localsportsstars.com.au