Two 35-year-old records were among those broken by Holy Trinity swimming stars Thomas Gibson and Hunter Hollis at the school’s carnival last week.
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Gibson agreed his long reach may have helped him beat the 100 metre freestyle and 50 metre backstroke records, both held by Tim Leach since 1981. He made it past Leach’s 1.04.12 time in the freestyle at 1.02.74 and smashed his backstroke record of 34.40 with a 31.47 race.
Having heard of Leach’s records and knowing his own speed, Gibson knew he could beat them.
“I was pretty confident in those,” he said. He also swam two new personal bests in the 50 metre freestyle and the butterfly.
Although he admitted reaching state and national titles was tough, Gibson said he would love to make a career out of swimming if he could.
“It would be so awesome to reach a professional level in swimming, but it’s just going to be ridiculously hard,” he said.
Hollis took on Hannah Wales’ two-year old 50 metre backstroke record of 38.17, breaking it with a time of 36.22.
“I was hoping to do it,” she said.
“I wasn’t sure if I could though.” As a longer distance swimmer, it was a bit of a surprise to come out on top in the 50 metre swim.
Hollis beat her own personal bests in the 100 metre freestyle and the backstroke, and came close with her other races.
The pair are now training for the next level in Moree next month. They both swim at least five times a week.