Isabella gets right into the swim

Not only that, but among her award-winning times were three personal bests, putting her well on the way to a place in the National All Schools squad.

The Gumma teenager is also being showered in accolades by friends and family, including Nambucca Valley Christian School principal, Jeff Allen, who said Isabella’s success was an historic moment for the school community.

“We always encourage our students to be faithful to the abilities they have been given, but Isabella is the first one who has taken that to the national level,” Mr Allen said.

The medals are the result of two years’ hard work by Isabella, who set herself this goal back in 2013.

“I train four mornings a week and three afternoons and then there is gym training as well,” Isabella told the Guardian.

“I love swimming but you really need to be committed.”

Winning the gold in the 50 metres Under 14 girls butterfly was nonetheless an unexpected surprise, as she had been aiming for gold in the backstroke.

“I only just missed out in that one ... and I didn’t realise I’d won the butterfly until the end.

“I was fifth about 25 metres out and then I just dug in - I felt really determined.”

Isabella said she was nervous before her events, as swimming followed athletics and NSW had been taking lots of medals.

“I really felt the pressure of competing at this representative level but it was also really exciting ... to be given this privilege.”

As well as her gold medal, she won silver in the 50 metres backstroke, bronze in the 200 metres individual medley and was part of two winning medley teams.

And the future?

“My next goal is to get to the All Schools National Games ... I’m only 1.3 seconds off the qualifying time and I have until next year to get there.”

This week though Isabella is having well-earned rest ... and catching up on school work.