Karlene Pircher is this month’s Don Deeble Rising Star award nominee. 50546 Picture: SARAH MATRAY
BY MICHAEL ESPOSITO
STAR News has reported on Karlene Pitcher’s swimming achievements for so long now, it’s hard to believe she’s still only 14.
Happily for those who love to see Western Suburbs athletes excelling in their chosen sport, Pircher continues to embrace her gruelling early morning training regime, and has the results to show for her hard work.
The Hoppers Crossing girl, who trains at North West Aquatic in Essendon, recently represented Australia in the Youth Commonwealth Games in the Isle of Man, recording four personal bests, winning a silver medal in the 400-metre medley relay and making three individual finals.
She finished fifth in the 200m breaststroke with a time of 2.28.58, sixth in the 100m breaststroke (1.09.77), and sixth in the 50m breaststroke (32.87).
Pircher was the youngest competitor in all her finals, which were dominated by 16-17 year-olds.
Yet, she was only partly satisfied with her performances.
“I wanted to do better, but I’m still happy with my results,” she said.
Pircher said her 200m breaststroke was her best swim of the meet.
“I just swum the week before for the Victorian States and got a PB in that, but I took off another second at the Youth Commonwealth Games.”
Her superb performances have earned her this month’s nomination for the Don Deeble Rising Star award, which recognises young Western Suburbs athletes who are performing at state or national level.
Pitcher will receive $1000, a pair of New Balance runners, and a subscription to World Gym in Sunshine.
The award is run by Sunshine and Western Region Sports Club in conjunction with Star News Group and Yarraville Club Cricket Club.
Pircher backed up her Commonwealth Games performance at the State Challenge at the AIS in Canberra a week later with three first place swims, a third, a fourth and an eighth as part of the Victorian side. Her wins came in the 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke and 4x100m medley relay.
Despite not swimming her best times, it was a sensational effort to win three races after such an exhausting Youth Commonwealth Games campaign.
“I was physical exhausted. I was so tired that I wasn’t sure if I was going to come first or not. But I’m just happy that I got it,” Pircher said.
