TGSSC Swim Stars: Three students medal at 2023 national titles

Against Australia’s top swimmers, three Toowoomba athletes have reaped the rewards for their efforts, claiming three national titles. Read how the students reacted and their future aspirations here.

Lachlan McNamee proudly wearing his bronze medal he won at the 2023 Australian Swimming Age Championships Gold Coast titles. Picture: Contributed.

Three teenage swimmers have claimed national titles and a healthy medal haul at the Australian Swimming Age Championships on the Gold Coast.

The three Toowoomba Grammar School Swimming Club came away with a combined four medals and three national titles.

Further cementing herself as one of the nation’s premier long distance junior swimmers, Sienna Deurloo added two more national titles to her already mega tally.

Taking out gold in the 800m and 1500m 17-years girls freestyle events, Deurloo is relishing her time in and out of the pool.

“Open water definitely requires a lot more endurance and is obviously more physically demanding, but I love coming back to the pool, I love the change and the challenge of the shorter distances,” she said.

“The different training and having to swim faster is a nice change-up, but I like both disciplines equally at the moment, it’s just time and juggling the two that is at times difficult.”

Sienna Deurloo (left) and Mackenzie Grimes (right) show off their Australian Swimming Age Championships gold medals from the recent Gold Coast titles. Picture: Contributed.

In addition to being happy with her results, Deurloo was most proud of shaving off a whopping 18 seconds in the 1500m.

The Garden City’s other national champion is Mackenzie Grimes, whotook out gold the 14-years 200m backstroke, and claimed silver in the 50m backstroke event.

“I had such a good time at the meet and to come away with gold and silver made it even better,” Grimes said.

“I did have a lot of confidence going in to the events as backstroke is my best stroke and I knew that I was swimming pretty fast, so even though I didn’t really expect to get first and second, I was definitely confident.”

Grimes was also in line for another medal after making the 100m final, but was disqualified after a false start.

Fortunately, 2020 Olympic Games 100m and 200m backstroke gold medallist Kaylee McKeown was on deck, and helped Grimes post race.

“Getting to meet Kaylee was so cool,” Grimes said.

“She just told me that it’s all good everyone has moments like that and that in the future to just stay as composed and relaxed as possible.”

Lachlan McNamee proudly wearing his bronze medal he won at the 2023 Australian Swimming Age Championships Gold Coast titles. Picture: Contributed.

The third swimmer to medal at the nationals was 17-year-old Lachlan McNamee, who came third in the 16-18 years multi-class 50m butterfly.

Heading into the meet McNamee was confident he had put in the hours required to have a fast race.

“I knew that I’d done the best that I could in preparation and I was in the best condition I could be to perform well but that said, it was definitely a shock to get a medal at nationals,” he said.

“Next I’ve got the Australian trials coming up in June, so I’ll be getting myself ready for that, which will be a good experience and I haven’t been to one before so I’m very excited.”

McNamee attributed some of his success to the swimming community and those that have supported him and helped him along his journey, and encourages anyone to get out and stay fit and healthy in a friendly environment.