Nichols, 14, of Longford, is part of a 15-strong swimming team selected to represent Tasmania at the Australian Institute of Sport from Friday to Sunday.

The St Patrick’s College year 8 student is coached by Peter Tonkin at Launceston Aquatic Club.

Tonkin was full of praise for his young charge.

“She trains well but she races even better,” he said.

“She is a bit of a leader at the club and a role model to the younger swimmers. Fly is her strength and we are working on her breaststroke.”

Nichols trains up to seven times a week.

“I am looking forward to being part of the Tasmanian team, meeting swimmers from other states and having fun,” she said.

Peter Crosswell, 24, is the head coach of the state team. 

A coach for eight years with Hobart Aquatic, Crosswell also coached the state team for this event last year and has twice been a school games coach.

“This event gives swimmers national-level experience and exposes them to the standards they need to be swimming to be successful at a national level,” he said.

Nichols joins clubmate Dawson Howell, 16, and Riverside Aquatic’s Emily Lonergan, Georgia Davis and Jordan Cooper, all 16,  together with Hobart Aquatic’s Mollie Bailey, 14, Sophie Botterill-James, Ella May and Lauryn Todorovic, all 15, Stefanie McCarthy, 14, Yan'An Chen, 16, Maximillian Giuliani, 14, Jonty Clues, 14, Campbell Lane, 16, and HC’s Max Powell, 15.

Northern swimmers enjoyed a golden medal haul at the Tasmanian short course swimming titles in Hobart.

Three swimmers claimed five state titles – Kit DeJonge, 19, and Aran Miller, 23, both of South Esk, and Patrick Roberts, 17, of Burnie.

While UTAS architecture student and South Esk club captain DeJonge came away with a swag of gold medals, it was a silver and a big personal best time in the 100m breaststroke that gave him the most satisfaction.

“I had two years where I got no PBs but I am now back in form,” he said after teaming up with Ethann Best, Fraser Sutton and Henry Shepherd for a South Esk relay gold.

“It depends how much you love the sport – whether you stay with it or not. I am really enjoying it.”

Three state titles went to: Jonathan Clarke, 14, of South Esk; Kiaran Gillies, 16, of Riverside; William Gray, 13, of Launceston Aquatic; Morgen Hawkins, 20, of South Esk; Amy Muldoon, 13, of Launceston Aquatic; and Ethan Stretton, 15, of Burnie.

The following swimmers won two titles: Jazz Irani, 11 (LAC); Nicholas Plats, 17 (Burnie); Jonty Pretorius, 15 (SE); and Jack Walton, 15 (Ulverstone).

Single titles went to: William Bonney, 16 (RAC); Brooke Cairns, 17 (RAC); Myra Donnelly, 15 (RAC): Emily Lonergan, 16 (RAC); Xavier Nesbit, 11 (SE); Jade Nichols, 14 (LAC); Chelsea Savage, 14 (RAC); and Fraser Sutton 17 (SE).

The outstanding individual performer of the meet was Stefanie McCarthy, 14, of Hobart Aquatic, who claimed an impressive nine titles.

More than 80 people attended a South Esk Swimming Club clinic entitled Empowering Peak Performance at the Tailrace Centre, Riverside, on September 16.

Presenters included sports psychologist Daniel Dymond, physiotherapist Sally McLaine, nutritionist Dawida Rose-Nel and sports performance expert Wayne Goldsmith.

Club president Jayne Shepherd said: “South Esk is excited to provide swimmers, coaches and parents with a fantastic opportunity to interact and learn from industry leaders, with all costs covered by the club.”