Ella Jones has returned from the Australian Age Swimming Championships with a medal haul.
The Springwood Swimming Club member secured silver in the 100m freestyle, 50m backstroke and freestyle, and bronze in the 400m freestyle and 100m backstroke.
In the 400m freestyle the 17-year-old recorded a 15 second PB.
“That’s not a little PB, I was happy with it,” she said.
“I finally saw my hard work pay off on a big scale. Getting up on the podium and getting a medal is addictive.”
The Emu Plains swimmer has cerebral palsy and competes in the multi-class S8 category for swimmers with some leg function.
The championships were held at the end of April at the Sydney Olympic Park and Aquatic Centre.
She is in a heavy block of training as she prepares for the Pan Pacific Selection Trials in Adelaide in July.
Jones will compete in the 100m backstroke and 50, 100 and 400m freestyle events. The Australian team to compete in the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Japan in August will be determined at this meet.
“I’ve been doing speed work every single day,” Jones, who is coached by Nick Robinson, said.
“I wake up and feel like my body has been hit by a truck … but it’s totally worth it.”
She’s also working hard on her final year of schooling through Tafe via correspondence.
