Local Macintyre High School student Rohan Cowley has won a male achievement award at the Combined High School (CHS) swimming in Sydney.
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Held last week, from April 8-10, Cowley competed in eight events consisting of individual medley, breaststroke, backstroke, freestyle and butterfly.
He scored three personal bests over the course of the competition in the 200m freestyle, 100m Butterfly and freestyle.
Being no stranger to competitive swimming, the local talent was excited to dive back in the water.
Although, being a year 12 student, it was the last time Cowley was eligible to compete in CHS swimming.
The athlete trains four days a week for two hours, and even though he ventured into swimming later than most, it hasn't dimmed his love for the sport.
"It's a passion of mine, I've been doing it for seven years now, so it's kind of hard to stop.
"I'll keep training and we'll see what happens," he said.
The three days in Sydney consisted of participating in eight events, against four groups trying for new personal bests.
Modesty flowed from Cowley, as he tried not to toot his own horn too much, but it was hard not to see how proud he was of himself and how happy he was with his efforts.
"I've met so many people like that, who are like 'oh I'm the best', you don't wanna be like that because you will lose the fun in swimming.
"My attitude changed towards swimming it wasn't just win, train and do your best; it was more kind of train, do your best, support the others."
That is what the award is given for "because we supported everyone else".
Rohan said that he "might not swim as fast as the other guys, or progress as far" but "I had a go and I shared that energy".
As part of the Swimming New South Wales Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) he was one of only two regional representatives chosen.
Nominated by Inverell Swimming Club, Cowely first took on the responsibility to encourage keen swimmers, in and out of the pool.
Swimming NSW created the panel after seeing an increasing trend of juniors dropping out of the sport around age 13.
After not being able to swim a single lap of the pool at age 11, Cowley decided he wanted to challenge himself.
In 2012 he joined Inverell Swimming Club and one thing led to another.
"I've had so many achievements from then to now but my biggest achievement of all is just improving.
"I've been able to continuously smash PBs and improve my technique," he said.