LOCAL swimming prodigy and Tea Gardens Public School student Kayleigh Thompson has excelled at the NSW Primary Schools Sports Association (PSSA) Swimming Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
On Tuesday 28 April, Kayleigh achieved three Personal Bests, including two top-10 finishes.
She came second overall in the junior girls’ backstroke 50m, in an impressive time of 37.13s and fifth in the 50m freestyle.
Kayleigh’s performance means she’s eligible to represent the NSW PSSA at the School Sport Australia national titles at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre later this year.
“I am extremely happy for my new PBs and my performance in the 50m backstroke,” Kayleigh said.
“It was enormously exciting to come second at State, and I am excited to represent NSW at the Nationals during November.”
Going all the way to Nationals in any event is an incredible achievement, and one that honours the time and energy put in by Kayleigh, her family, her school, and supporters.
Losing her cap in her first race, the individual medley, only galvanised Kayleigh’s resolve, so much so that in her next heat, the 50m freestyle, she came within less than a second of first-place.
It was also the fastest heat.
“Kayleigh’s backstroke heat was a very convincing win, but her time of 37.13 was pipped by the last heat winner’s 36.63 then the second girl to touch the wall touched in 37.23,” Kayleigh’s mum, Lauren told NOTA.
“Sitting in the stands I realised she had done it.
“Kayleigh came up from the pool deck and I was able to tell her she had come second, she was so proud of herself.”
“Kayleigh finished off the meet with butterfly, swimming beautifully and coming in 19th.
“To say Kayleigh is excited is an understatement – she has worked so hard to get here and did tell me when she was six [that] she would go to Nationals in swimming, through school, and she really has made that dream come true.”
Kayleigh ended the meet with two finalist pins, and a new silver medal.
In his role as Vice President of NSW PSSA, TGPS Principal Mark Clemson had the distinct privilege of presenting the medals for the 50m backstroke, including giving the silver medal to Kayleigh.
“As a very proud principal, I look forward to rallying our school and community to support Kayleigh through fundraising efforts so her family can attend the School Sport Australia National Carnival,” he told NOTA.
“It’s a tremendous achievement, and we’re all excited to cheer her on at the national level.”
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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