Mackenzie French is so adept in the water that she spends long stretches in the pool.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That is, between breaking long-distance state records.
The 13-year-old set new marks at the state age long-course championships last September and broke them again in March this year.
Her talent not only lies with under-age records, but also stretches to the open women’s 800 and 1500m freestyle short-course events.
The St Patrick’s College student shocked onlookers at the Victorian distance championships last October, recording the fastest times for a 12-year-old in the 400, 800 and 1500m.
But arguably the greatest achievement was set in May when she smashed nearly 30 seconds off the long-standing 13 years’ 1500m state record.
It was her first individual Tasmanian record for the relay swimmer.
The rapid rise of improvement over the past year earns Mackenzie a nomination for The Examiner IGA Sports Award.