Talented teen shatters a 51-year-old swim record

A talented young teenage sports star from North Queensland has shattered a record that has stood for more than half a century

Gilroy Santa Maria College student Sean Moloney has shattered a swimming record that has stood for more than half a century. Picture: CAMERON BATES

A TALENTED young teenage sports star from Ingham has shattered a record that has stood for more than half a century.

Gilroy Santa Maria College student Sean Moloney recorded a time of 36.98 seconds in the 14 Years Boys 50m Breaststroke at the Interschool Swimming Carnival at the Hinchinbrook Aquatic Centre on Wednesday night.

The previous record of 38.20, the Shire’s longest-standing swimming record, was posted by Ingham accountant Robert Carey, also representing Gilroy, 51 years ago.

Moloney, who moved to Ingham from Harvey Bay last year, said he was “pretty proud” of himself for claiming the record and meeting Mr Carey at his offices.

He said Mr Carey was shocked that the record had stood for so long as his breaststroke was not his best event.

Contacted by the Herbert River Express, Mr Carey wished Moloney well in his future endeavours.

“If he’s keen to pursue an athletic career in swimming, just put your head down and go for it, you can achieve anything you want provided you put in the hard yards,” he said.

Gilroy Santa Maria College students Grace Moloney won the overall Under-13 Girls title and brother Sean won the U14 Boys title at the Interschool Swimming Carnival at the Hinchinbrook Aquatic Centre. Picture: CAMERON BATES

The remainder of the 14 Year Boy swimming records are held by Joseph Jackson, also a former Gilroy student and an Australian junior representative in 2018.

Moloney, who also took out the overall U14 title, says he was not disappointed to break any of Jackson’s records, saying “he is too fast for me”.

The student, who also plays rugby league for the Herbert River Crushers U14 side, trains about six hours a week, which his mother and swim coach Leeann, says is not enough for higher honours.

Ms Moloney, who manages the aquatic centre, said she believed the current record for the event would be about 33 seconds.

As an added bonus, Moloney’s sister Grace took out the U13 Girls overall title.

A number of records were also broken in the 12 Years Boys events, including four individual events by David Schofield of Ingham State High SchoolK and the Gilroy relay team in the 4x50m relay.

Originally published as Talented teen shatters a 51-year-old swim record