Murrumburrah High School student Sam Manwaring continues to break barriers in his young swimming career, finishing third in the under 14’s 100 metre breaststroke at the NSW Combined High Schools Sports Association Swimming Championships which was held in Sydney on June 1st and 2nd.

Sam’s coach Adam Gammon is happy with his development and looks forward to seeing him back in Sydney.

“Sam swims as apart of our performance squad in the Leisure and Recreation Group based in Cootamundra. He has been doing five two hour sessions a week with myself and Angus Westaway and we feel since he’s joined the program he’s taken himself to another level,” Gammon said.

“The program has taken country swimmers to the level to compete with city swimmers that are up there with the best in the state and not only are they going up against them, they’re beating them whilst getting training that is at the same level that city kids are getting.

“The kids are really excelling, this years been very successful and we’re only half way done, we’re extremely proud of them.

“We believe a lot in technique, we do a lot of work on his stroke, his technique and his efficiency. I don’t believe in getting swimmers in the pool and just having them swim lap after lap clocking kilometres, if their stroke isn’t up to standards, it’s a waste of time so that’s what we focus on.”

Though Sam has proven he is an athletic monster, scorching both on the turf and in the pool, Gammon says it’s his work ethic that separates him from some other swimmers.

“Yes he’s a talented athlete, but he’s a very dedicated athlete as well. He lives and breathes swimming, he’ll watch every bit of swimming on tv, he’ll watch youtube videos on his favourite swimmers and just analyse their technique. Anytime either Angus or I make a suggestion he’ll research it and just take it all in. He sets his goals and he ticks them off as he does them and he works until they’re all complete. That’s rare in adults let alone 14-year-old kids.

“He’s a pleasure to coach, you can tell he really listens to you. He’s the type of kid that will pick up what you’re talking about and if you’re trying something new, you try it on him because he picks it up instantly.”

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