Local swimmers from Manly Andrew 'Boy' Charlton (MABC) Squads have competed on the world stage at the Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships as part of Swimming Australia's Junior Dolphins Team.
The 2024 Junior Pan Pacific Championships is a major international swimming competition featuring the top young swimmers from the Pacific Rim countries. Held in Canberra, Australia from August 21st to 24th, 2024, the event showcases the future stars of the sport.
The championships are a major benchmark meet for the Junior Dolphins ahead of the World Junior Championships next year and act as a litmus test against the best international juniors including swimmers from the United States, Japan and Canada.
Now held every two years, the last event took place in Honolulu in 2022 and since its inception in 2005, the event has only been hosted by Hawaii, Guam and Fiji with the Championships being held in Australia for the first time.
CEO of Swimming Australia Rob Woodhouse said: “We’re delighted to be hosting this event. The athletes coming through the junior ranks now are incredibly fortunate that Australia is hosting Olympic Games within the next eight years.”
“Racing opportunities like this are critical for our young developing athletes.”
Avalon resident Josh Kerr (18) and Newport local Lillie McPherson (15) were part of the Australian team, with medal winning performances in the pool.
Josh and Lillie competed against swimmers from the US, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the Pacific region.
Josh earned his first international medal, a silver medal, and swam his personal best in the 200 Individual Medley. He also made the final of the 400IM and the B final of the 100m backstroke, where he swam another personal best.
Lillie was a crucial member of the girls' 4x100 freestyle relay team, which won a silver medal. She also made the B finals in both the 100m freestyle and the 50m freestyle, showcasing her competitive spirit and potential on the international stage.
Both swimmers were trained by the MABC coaching teams' Justin Rothwell and are members of the Manly Swimming Club. The MABC Squads program runs year round. Their committed, passionate coaching team provides a fun and enjoyable training environment.
Congratulations Josh and Lillie - everyone is STOKED for you!
Photos: Josh Kerr, 18, from Avalon earned Silver in the 200 Individual Medley at the Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships and 15-year-old Newport resident, Lillie McPherson (second from right), won Silver in the 4x11 freestyle relay team. Pics: Swimming Australia.