Young Lexie Brown has only been swimming for a couple of months, but the determined Nambucca Heads Primary School student recently made it to one of the highest levels of swimming in Australia, the State NSW championships.
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"All this came out of nowhere; I only signed her up for lessons about eight months ago. We are extremely proud; nobody was expecting her to get this far with so few lessons," mother Cara Brown said.
"When she first went in her school carnival, we told her not expect anything, to go and have some fun, she is very determined though, I think she just wanted to prove us wrong."
It hasn't been all smooth sailing though; the Nambucca Heads local unfortunately missed out on attending the district carnival; however, she had performed so well at the previous meet she was eligible to participate at the next level.
"She missed district because of surgery, but her times were so fast that she was called up for the Mid North Coast meet at Coffs Harbour," Cara said.
"After that, she went to the North Coast carnival and finally to State which is like a mini Olympics, they hold it at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, there would have been over 1000 people there.
"Lexie has had the biggest smile on her face the whole time; her times keep getting faster, and she is having the best time."
At state, Lexie Brown achieved 5th in the 50m freestyle, 12th in the 100m freestyle and 3rd in the 50m backstroke which her mother says is her favourite stroke.
"Lexie really likes the backstroke, it would have to be her favourite, and she did so well in it, and it was a personal best time of 1.02," she said.
While she won't be able to compete at higher levels until she is older, her mother is confident that young Lexie will continue to swim regardless.
"Because she is only eight, this is the highest she can go, for now, Lexie isn't eligible for nationals until she turns 10," she said.
"I think she will keep swimming though; she is a very sporty child.
"This wouldn't have been possible without the support from her swimming teacher, the school and both sides of the family, everybody has been very supportive."
