One Week Until Age Nationals

The next Olympic and Paralympic cycle is well and truly underway after the rush and hype of 2021, and our next generation of F-Teamers are ready to make their mark. From April 11-18 at the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre, the Australian Age Championships will play host to the nation’s top tier of young swimmers.

With the 2022 Junior Pan Pacs postponed to 2026 and the 2022 Junior Worlds cancelled, there are no significant international competitions on the horizon for our junior swimmers this year. For our 3 Funky Trunks rising stars, however, their eyes are firmly fixed on the meet at hand and taking this in their stride. Noah Kamprad, Ike Martinez and Jake Walker are gearing up for busy schedules in South Australia, with the meet only a week away.

Ike Martinez of Rackley Centenery is another name we should probably start getting used to hearing. The 15-year-old is another multi-stroke youngster who specialises in the Freestyle and Butterfly events. Ike is set to contest a grueling 7 event program across the week, however he is no stranger to such large and hectic schedules.

Kamprad, one of our Tassie athletes on the rise, has demonstrated stellar in-season results in the lead up to the Age Champs. The 17-year-old from the Hobart Aquatic Club claimed a silver and bronze at the recent Victorian Open Champs, and is fixed to contest six events in Adelaide with multiple podium finishes a real possibility.

Jake Walker of the St. Andrews Swim Club on the Sunshine Coast prefers to keep his programs a little simpler than the other two boys. Jake is a sprint freestyle specialist. Under the tutelage of Olympic medalist Ash Delaney, Jake will contest the Boys 14-15 Years 50m Free, and the Boys 15 Years 100m Free.

The wait is almost over for our F-Teamers and we are as excited as they are. All the best to Noah, Ike and Jake for an exciting meet.