McAleese brothers shine on

Rockingham Stingrays swimmer Austin McAleese has issued a warning to his rivals ahead of next year’s Australian Age Championships with an impressive showing at a recent meeting in Canberra.

McAleese was a standout for WA at the National Short-Course Championships, finishing inside the top 10 in all but one of his six events.

He put the exclamation mark on an eye-catching effort with a bronze medal in the Under 14-15 boys’ 200m breaststroke and narrowly missed the podium after finishing fourth in the 200m individual medley.

McAleese, who is also club captain, registered personal best times in all six swims at the meet and said the chance to swim against the country’s best juniors had given cause for optimism heading into next year’s Age Championships.

“The experience at the AIS, swimming with the best in Australia, has really strengthened my resolve for hard work in training and my love for the sport,” McAleese said.

Not to be outdone, McAleese’s brother Ethan has also enjoyed a standout year in the pool, breaking three long-standing WA records in the 400m individual medley.

Ethan has also set several new club records, ensuring statisticians are kept busy.

Both Austin and Ethan began swimming at a young age and were first introduced to the sport through the Dive and Try program.

Alongside their clubmates, the brothers have completed up to eight sessions each week under the guidance of coach Gordon Shaw in the lead-up to April’s Age Championships.

For more information on the club’s Dive and Try program call 9593 4000.