Riverton Aquanauts swimmer Jacob Hale is in line to join a national squad, according to head coach Gemma Herrington, after achieving outstanding results at the Australian Age Nationals last month.
Hale was part of a six-member contingent from the club that flew to Adelaide for the competition, a significant one for hale.
The 16-year-old had been waiting to attend the nationals for four years, due to age group changes and then COVID restrictions.
He more than made up for lost time, as he won three medals at the competition.
He was crowned Australian National Champion, winning gold in the 16yrs 50m backstroke in a new personal best time of 26.40, setting a national record for the age group.
He captured silver on the 50m freestyle, equalling the WA all-time record and then, moments later, recorded a 23.26 in the WA State team freestyle relay.
He finished the meet with a bronze in the 15.16yrs WA State team mixed medley, leading off with backstroke.
Herrington said that if he continued to apply himself, the sky was the limit for Herrington.
“He’s been training with us for almost as long as the club has existed,” she said.
“He’s got quite an intensive training load but his results speak for themselves, he’s been excellent for the club.
“All of the swimmers we took to the Nationals this year performed really well, they’ve been putting in the hard work and it has paid off in the end.”
