Swimming: Inside the rise of Xavier College’s Sam Welsh after latest record-breaking feat

His grandfather won Gold Logies, his dad won Olympic medals, now this Melbourne schoolboy is making a splash as he continues his quest to the Australian swim team.

Sam Welsh with his father Matt Welsh. Picture: Facebook.

Olympic swimming has always been in Sam Welsh’s blood, and now, records set by Olympians are in his grasp.

The 17-year-old talent is the son of dual Olympic swimmer Matt Welsh - and grandson of Melbourne icon Bert Newton - and his steady rise in the pool is reaching new heights.

Welsh’s open 50m butterfly time of 25.4 seconds and open 100m freestyle time of 51.6 seconds at an Associated Public Schools Swimming Fixture this month set new Xavier College records.

The records had previously been held by two-time Olympian Pat Murphy, and the school’s director of aquatics David Strahan - who was there when Murphy set those markers - did not think they would ever be beaten.

“It shows that Sam’s making significant progress towards the highest levels in swimming,” Strahan said.

“He’s swimming really well at the moment, those were quite significant records … (Pat Murphy) was a very competent swimmer and for a long time we thought those times wouldn’t get beaten.”

Camberwell Grammar Aquatic's Sam Welsh. Picture: Facebook.

Murphy would go on to win two Olympic bronze medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and swam alongside the likes of Grant Hackett and Ian Thorpe in freestyle relays.

As well as competing for Xavier College, Welsh also trains out of Camberwell Grammar Aquatic under his father Matt and Matt Belgiovane.

Sam’s father Matt Welsh was a three-time Olympic medallist and five-time World Championships gold medallist and held the 50 butterfly world record. Strahan credits his management of Sam’s career for the rise the teen is now experiencing.

Bert Newton with grandson Sam Welsh when he was younger.

“One of the things that was significant about Matt’s career was he didn’t start serious swimming training until year 11 or 12 at school which is very unusual for swimmers who typically start swimming in a sport seriously from very young,” Strahan said.

“Matt’s been conscious of the impact that had on his career and being able to continue swimming until his late 20s. He was conscious of the burnout factor for Sam and wanted to make sure Sam had every opportunity as he got older to really enjoy his swimming and develop.”

That development has continued at a rate of knots. Just two months ago, Welsh broke the Swimming Victoria all comers record in the 16 boy’s 50m freestyle with a time 23.29 seconds.

Strahan said Welsh now held seven school records at Xavier College.

Xavier College student Sam Welsh is making his name in swimming. Picture: Supplied.

“He wasn’t breaking records when he was in year seven or eight … he was a great swimmer when he was younger but he probably wasn’t doing the level of training that some of his other competitors were.

“We’re now starting to see Sam come into his own and he’s breaking state records in different events, that’s largely because now he’s engaging in more training and showing his true potential.

“I’ve seen some amazing junior swimmers come through the school but I’ve seen a lot of those swimmers quit the sport when they get to year 12, they hit it pretty hard in their junior years and by the time they get to 17, 18 years old they’ve had enough.”

The APS swimming competition has produced several Olympic medallists and Strahan described it as a “breeding ground” that had produced some “really impressive swimmers”.

“I’m really hopeful that (Sam) will be swimming in open competition in the next couple of years and hopefully be in a position where he is contesting for Australian teams,” Strahan said.

“He’s a great kid, most people who are witnessing his swimming so far have been really impressed with his grounded approach to swimming competition.

“He’s a bit of a favourite amongst his teammates at the school because of his modest approach, they love watching him perform and break records.”