Maiika Hegamaea, Cruze Ryder, Lakea Hegamaea, Natalie Treloar, Jett Ryder and Haila Hegamaea are preparing to compete against the state’s best school-aged swimmers. Photo: Supplied.
Six of Cooktown’s top student swimmers are preparing to pit their skills against the best after qualifying to compete at the 2025 Queensland Representative School Sport Swimming State Championships later this month.
Maiika Hegamaea, Cruze Ryder, Lakea Hegamaea, Natalie Treloar, Jett Ryder and Haila Hegamaea will don blue and yellow as they join the 51-member Peninsula team in Brisbane from 23-26 March.
Cooktown Amateur Swimming Club president Melissa Gunton said she was extremely proud of the athletes, and added they would be taking their training to the next level to prepare for the competition.
“To qualify for the Peninsula team, you must meet qualifying standard times; this is an awesome achievement for a team who only trains five days a fortnight, with most other Peninsula team members from Cairns training at least four to five times a week,” she said.
“Reaching Peninsula level is a goal in itself for these kids.
“The training will definitely be stepping up in the next couple of weeks, with extra early morning sessions to prepare them for this event.”
Ms Gunton said among this year’s selections were three athletes who were part of the 2024 Peninsula team, and three who were competing at the state level for the first time.
Rookie Cruze Ryder may be new to the state representative line-up, but he is no stranger to the pool, having waded in chlorinated waters since he was just four years old.
“I have been a member of the club for the last 10 years,” he said.
“I will be swimming in the 14 years boys 50-metre freestyle event.
“My goal is to do my best and get a Peninsula swimming bag.”
Ms Gunton said she was confident the swimmers would give it their all, and hoped for some top 10 spots to qualify for the finals, but said the most important thing was that they loved what they were doing.
“The great thing about Cooktown swimmers is that they are not scared to compete at big events, even though it might be scary for others; they just walk in and give 110 per cent,” she said.
“They know that the most important thing is to have fun, and if they make finals, that is just a bonus.
“Our goal as a club and parents has always been to keep our children fit, healthy and happy.”
The club will be running a fundraising car wash at Cooktown Hardware on 15 March to help swimmers travel to Brisbane.
The event will run from 8:15am-12:30pm, with a sausage sizzle and drinks on offer while vehicles are washed.
The best car wash in Cooktown will cost $15 for sedans and hatchbacks, and $20 for larger vehicles, including four-wheel drives.
