RUBBING shoulders with the State’s finest junior swimmers has proved an inspirational moment for Raymond Terrace-based schoolboy Beau Wheeler.

The promising eleven-year-old breaststroker was one of four exciting prospects from the Stroud Seals Swimming Club to show their wares at the NSW State Junior Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre last weekend.

A revved up Wheeler performed strongly in elite company in breaststroke and freestyle events to cap a golden period over the past month.

It continued a purple patch of form for young Beau who has blossomed under the tutelage of Head Coach Mike Abel at the Lakeside Aquatic complex at Raymond Terrace.

The Port Stephens superfish was recently crowned Zone Primary Schools Sports Association age champion for the region and captured gold medals in the 50m breaststroke and 100m breastroke with a personal best time of 1.93 seconds at a top quality Castle Hills carnival.

Wheeler was joined at the State Junior titles by eleven-year-old clubmates Clair Cousins and Saxon Hayes and twelve-year-old Valentina Ward.

“Qualifying for the State Junior Championships was a huge achievement by Beau, Saxon, Clair and Valentina,” an elated Abel told News Of The Area.

“They all work hard and did us proud with spirited efforts collectively in the pool and will continue to improve,” the leading swim coach reflected.

“It has been a productive start for Beau in 2024 with some encouraging victories across multiple events and clocking personal best times,” he said.

“Beau is a very talented and versatile young swimmer with a good work ethic who has a bright future in the sport,” Abel declared.

By Chris KARAS