Blue Lake Y Swim Club athlete Darcy Hodges (pictured) has been selected to represent School Sport SA at the School Sport Australia Swimming Championships held in Sydney from August 25-29.
The young gun qualified to compete in the 12 years and under team across 10 categories where she will race against swimmers from all over the nation.
Hodges said she was excited to attend the championships for a second year after competing for the first time in 2022 at Brisbane, where she was reserve in the 100-metre freestyle and 50-metre breaststroke finals.
“I hope to get into some finals and get into the South Australian team again next year,” she said.
Unfortunately, Hodges did not get to race last year in any finals, but she did set a number of personal bests in qualifying and said she enjoyed the experience.
The swim star performed well at her inaugural SA State Age Long Course Championships at the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Adelaide during March.
The 11-year-old won gold in the 50-metre backstroke, 100-metre backstroke, 50-metre breaststroke and 100-metre breaststroke.
She claimed silver in the 50-metre freestyle and individual medley (a mix of all four strokes in one race) as well as bronze in the 50-metre butterfly and 100-metre freestyle.
Hodges also made a splash in the 200-metre freestyle placing fifth with a personal best of 15.27 seconds.
Hodges has been qualified to join a squad in Noosa, Queensland for eight weeks of training under national coaches located at the prestigious St Andrews College prior to her performance in Sydney.
The junior athlete said she was looking forward to the challenging training program and gaining new experiences and opportunities.
Hodges currently holds both the SA Country Championship and SA Long Course female country records for 11 years and under 50-metre and 100-metre breaststroke.
In May she competed in the SAPSASA State Championships, earning gold for her 50-metre breaststroke, 50-metre butterfly and 100-metre freestyle and a silver for team relay.
She has been swimming for four years at the Blue Lake Y Swim Club under coaches Rob Lowe and Jaime Spicer and swims five times a week as well as undertaking strength and conditioning at the gym for the Limestone Coast Regional Sporting Academy.
Hodges said joining the academy at a young age had benefited her in the sport.
“They talk about what to eat and about your health,” she said.
At the SA Country Swimming Championships at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre in January, Hodges received the best female swimmer 12 years and under trophy for the meet and the development trophy for best female athlete of the meet as well as breaking four Country Championships records.
Hodges holds a national record for the 50-metre breaststroke which is her preferred stroke.
