THREE Nambucca Valley prodigies – well used to being big fish in a small pool – are now among the alphas on the national stage.
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Leah Pickvance, Declan Sutton and Millie Edwards sallied forth to Hobart for the School Sport Australia Swimming Championships where they duly nailed it.
Leah, an 11-year-old St Patrick’s Primary, Macksville student, came home with three medals – two of them golden nuggets.
The Year 6 superstar placed first with two relay team efforts – the 11 years 4x50m free and the 4x50 individual medley (IM).
A busy program saw Leah also place eighth in the 50m free.
Pool buddy Millie also celebrated in Tassie – with two Top 10 placings.
The Macksville Public Year 5 student finished 5th in the 50m back, and 4th in the 50m free relay.
Leah told the Guardian both girls are now building for the Coffs Harbour carnival where they will have the chance to meet qualifying times for State and Country rep meets.
Big stretch Declan repped the boys from the Valley with equal pride and success.
He opened the road to Hobart by winning gold in the NSW All Schools 50m back – his pet event.
At nationals, Declan placed fifth in the 50m back, and snared a silver medal swimming that same style in the 4x50 IM relay.
“The relay was won by Queensland but it was pretty close,” the 16-year-old Macksville High School product said.
With a wingspan the breadth of the Phillip Hughes Bridge, Declan lifted in the team environment of the relay, setting a personal best with a lickety-split time of 28.33 seconds as he swam the first leg for NSW A.
Like Leah and Millie, Declan will now set himself for the 2018-19 season with engagements at a string of meets.
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