A TRIO of Sunraysia swimmers are aiming to make a splash on the national stage.
Mildura Swimming Club duo Liana McClaer and Joaquin Leal-Kaiser and former clubmate Sam Mills, who is now based in Melbourne and aligned with MLC Aquatic in Kew, will compete at the Australian Age Swimming Championships in Brisbane, beginning Thursday April 10.
The championships are arguably the major event on the national swimming calendar for the next generation of swimming stars.
McClaer, 15, will return to the event after making her debut 12 months ago and is set to again compete in the 50m backstroke.
Leal-Kaiser, 14, will compete for the first time and after a superb season has qualified for the 50m and 100m backstroke, the 100m and 200m butterfly and 200m individual medley.
Mills, 15, has qualified for the same events as 12 moths ago – breaststroke over 50m, 100m and 200m, as well as 200m and 400m individual medley – alongside a place in the 4 x 50m freestyle relay.
For McClear, last year’s championships gave her a taste of competing at the next level.
“It’s really exciting just to be able to go and see what it’s all about again, it was really cool to make it again and just to be in a different facility,” she said.
“I think it will still be the same atmosphere but I’m excited to go again. It was so cool, just to see how it is at a bigger level and to see how everyone prepares.
“My form has been okay, it’s been great that my family has been there supporting me and I think we’re ready this season.
“For me it wasn’t as much about the performance (last year), it was about getting there, taking it all in and really appreciating everything.
“We’ve been training really hard and everyone has been supporting each other which is great.”
Leal-Kaiser claimed a bronze medal in the Boys 14 200m butterfly in December’s Victorian Age Long Course Championships, becoming Mildura’s first state medallist in a number of years.
The emerging star said he is nervous, but excited, to tackle Australia’s best in his age group.
“I’ve been looking forward to being up there competing against the highest level of swimmers and competing against people who can push me towards a higher level,” he said.
“This year started off not to well but I think after Adelaide (the South Australia Age Swimming Championships in March) I feel a bit more confident.
“I’m excited but of course a bit nervous being my first time. I’m hoping to get some PBs and and hopefully even make a final.”
Mills had a packed schedule in 2024 and despite the extra event this year he is looking forward to heading to Queensland again.
“I’m really excited and hopefully I can do well,” he said.
“Five of the events are the same but there’s the extra relay which is freestyle, which is something I haven’t done for a bit so we’ll see how that goes.
“I’ve had had a few setbacks during that time (past 12 months) but I feel like I’m doing all right at this point.
“I’d like to make a final or into the top 10.”
The Australia Age Swimming Championships run from April 10 to 18.
