Gunnedah swimming champions Alexis Whitton and Banjo Fitzgerald are putting in some last minute training before they race against the best in Australia at school Nationals on the Gold Coast next week.

The talented swimmers will represent NSW at the School Sport Australia Swimming Championships after qualifying with a podium finish at school state titles earlier this year.

Only the top three swimmers in each event make it through, with Alexis bagging silver in the 13 years girls 50m freestyle at the NSW All Schools Championships, while Banjo collected bronze in the 10 years boys 50m butterfly at NSWPSSA.

Their impressive swims throughout their school pathway to Nationals also earned them a place in the Gunnedah Swimming Club history books after Alexis broke Susan Miller’s 50m freestyle record from 1981 with a blistering time of 27.59 seconds at the NSWCCC Championships. Ten-year-old Banjo broke his own club record in a cracking time of 33.89 in the NSWPSSA butterfly final.

Lexi and Banjo are NSW State Age and Country medallists. Based on this season’s long course times, Banjo has also qualified to compete in the 10 years boys 100m butterfly as well as the 4x50m medley and mixed relays at Nationals, while Alexis is awaiting confirmation on other relay events.

It’s a huge achievement for the pair to make it through to this level of competition, having edged out thousands of swimmers in their age group to earn a place on the NSW team. Alexis is currently in Year 7 at Gunnedah’s St Mary’s College while Banjo attends St Xavier’s Primary in Year 4.

This is the second time Lexi will compete on the national stage, having put up a brilliant swim at last year’s school Nationals in the 12 years girls 50m freestyle to collect an

Australian silver medal. She won another two silvers in the 4x50m freestyle and medley relays.

Gunnedah swimmer Molly Ramien will also compete at Nationals for a second time, however this year she will be representing Queensland. The 12-year-old made it through after winning four gold medals at her school state titles in March.

Racing gets underway at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre next Thursday.

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