JESSE Hoyland-Meaker and Lyndon Paratene have been described as “big fish, little fish” by their teachers.
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The duo set a blistering pace at the recent Bega High School Swimming Carnival to claim school champion honours.
Teacher Peta Relton said Jesse had been swimming since he was very young.
“[He] joined a swimming club in Queensland at the age of eight and has been swimming competitively ever since,” Relton said.
Relton said backstroke was Jesse’s strongest style, which he credits to his mum, it’s her strongest style, too.
Relton said Jesse’s performance on the day was phenomenal.
“Jesse won all of his age events and broke three records in the process.
“He would like to pursue a professional swimming career after school,” Relton said.
Jesse is aiming to join the Institute of Sport in Canberra .
Jesse said he took after his role model Geoff Huegill.
At the recent regional carnival in Dapto Jesse claimed a number of podium finishes.
He claimed first places in the 100 metre backstroke, breaststroke, bufferfly and 200 metre individaul medley, as well as third places in the 50 metre freestyle, 200 metre freestyle and 400 metre freestyle.
He will now compete at state level in each of the events.
Meanwhile, Year 7 youngster Lyndon Paratene came first in the 12 years freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke.
He also swam in the 200 metre relay.
Relton said Lyndon had been improving his butterfly stroke after winning an event last year, but was “unfortunate” to miss the event this year.
Lyndon told Relton he came from a family of strong swimmers.
“His sister, in particular, is a very good swimmer,” Relton said.
“His favourite stroke is freestyle, though he had the most fun in the T-shirt relay,” she said.