By JARROD POTTER
AS summer fades into memory for most people, Haileybury Waterlion swimmer Sam Washington will remember this one fondly.
Washington, 14, from Mount Eliza, has been in sensational form in the pool this season as he won multiple medals at the state and national swimming levels.
At ease in the water, Washington finds his best form in the fastest and slowest disciplines of swimming respectively as a freestyle/breaststroke specialist.
“Just really like the water and it came naturally,” Washington said.
“Freestyle and breaststroke are the two main strokes for me.”
“Nationals I came second and school swimming I won four gold in regionals and four gold in state.”
Earning silver in the 100m freestyle at the Swimming Australia National Age Championships, Washington’s time of 54.23 was a personal best and he was only edged into second in Australia by Miami’s Andrew Ryan by four-tenths-of-a-second.
Backing up from his club duties with Haileybury Waterlions, Washington took the schools championship by storm as well to win and set a new state record in the boys 12-15 100m freestyle.
Washington’s freestyle was the style of choice for the School Sport Victoria swimming championships, claiming wins in the 50, 100 and 200-metre finals and Frankston High School men’s 200m freestyle relay.
Washington’s success will continue over winter as he earned a place in Swimming Australia’s (SAL) National Talent ID Program.
Washington wanted to thank his family, the Haileybury Waterlions’ Swimming Club and head coach Wayne Lawes for their support.
