15-year-old Lily Young, a talented swimmer from the Cruiz Swim Club at Canberra Olympic Pool, has delivered an outstanding performance by winning Gold at the Australian Short Course Championships (ASCC).
In a showcase of speed and skill in a highly competitive field, Lily competed in the Women’s Open 25m Freestyle Final, touching the wall first with a time of 11.58s, followed soon after by Mackenzie Burns (11.60s) and Jodie Mead (11.71s). She also received three top ten placings and a silver medal in the Age 50m Freestyle.
During this short course season, she has achieved several Country records and an NSW state record in the 50 Fly.
“I love the sprint races… swimming the 25m race at the ASCC was so exciting and super-fast. I felt like it was over in a heartbeat, well, 11 seconds to be exact. I appreciated having Coach Billy with me in Melbourne to help me execute my race plans and achieve the results I was after,” Lily said.
The national event is backed by Swimming Australia, drawing competition and crowds from across the globe to Melbourne, including participants from Japan, Singapore and Hungary.
Her achievement highlights her dedication and the exceptional coaching she receives at Cruiz Swim Club from Head Coach, Billy Nicholson. Billy said:
“Lily is great at underwater kicking at the start of her races and off the turns. We have been working towards this meet, practicing underwater kick counts to nail the shorter sprints and utilise her strength.”
Billy continued, “It was the first time an Australian championship competition has held a 25 metre event and it was very exciting for Lily to get the win.”
Lily’s male counterpart in the event was Cameron McEvoy, Australia’s two-time world and Olympic 50m freestyle champion. He won the first official 25m freestyle race at the event, equaling his own unofficial world best time of 9.36 seconds in a lightning-fast swim. The 31-year-old from Queensland and four-time Olympian now has the three fastest times ever recorded.
He said of the event: “I haven’t seen that much buzz around a competition or an event in swimming in a very long time. I think the crowd loves to see the speed on display.”
The swimmer is calling for World Aquatics to officially recognise the event and to have it included in future World Cups. No matter the outcome, it’s clear Lily shines when she’s making her mark on the national stage.
A massive congratulations to Lily for her tremendous achievement.
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