Left: McKenzie Cunningham with his medals from the recent championships.
By Marc McGowan
PLENTY has been said about the thriving and competitive atmosphere at the Casey TigerSharks, but one Berwick superfish is providing all the evidence required.
Thirteen-year-old TigerShark McKenzie Cunningham has made stunning strides in the sport in the past 12 months.
After failing to make a final at the 2007 Victorian Long Course Swimming Championships, Cunningham burst to prominence in this year’s instalment to win one gold medal and two silver medals.
The Beaconhills College student also joined up with fellow Casey teenagers Josh Beaver, Tyrone Dobrunz and Thomas Boatman to snare bronze in the men’s 14-and-under 4 x 50m medley relay.
“I just love challenging myself. I love swimming and I love the water,” Cunningham said.
“I didn’t quite think through it (winning gold) when it happened, but after a couple of days it sunk in. It’s really good and when I got it I was really excited.”
Eight months ago, Cunningham impressed TigerSharks head coach Ben Hiddlestone enough to be promoted into the club’s national squad.
It has meant training up to nine sessions a week in the pool, but the effort has been worth it for Cunningham, who will make his debut at the Australian Age Championships in Brisbane in April.
“I’ve improved all over – mentally and physically. All aspects of my swimming have improved,” the swimmer said.
“I’m already getting a bit nervous for (the Australian Age Championships), but I think I’ll handle it pretty well.”
Cunningham has qualified in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle and the 100m and 200m backstroke and has set himself the goal of making three national finals.
Hiddlestone has similar aspirations for his young protege.
“We still have another three months of training, so he should be able to shave a couple of seconds off his times,” he said.
“Generally if you win your state championship, you’re a good chance of making a national final.
“The Queensland and New South Wales guys are a lot stronger, but he’s definitely on track to go to his first nationals and make a final for the first time.”
Cunningham credits club stars Trent Lindsey, Craig Watson and Brad York for helping him develop his strong work ethic, and his blood, sweat and tears have not gone unnoticed by his father Scott.
“McKenzie is really dedicated to his swimming and the results he has achieved at the state championships have come about because of the sacrifices he’s made,” Scott said.
The Cunningham family is also making an impact out of the pool, too, with mother Liisa assuming the club’s presidency a year ago.
While good, old-fashioned hard work has been offered as the major reason for Cunningham’s dramatic improvement, he also revealed another secret to his success.
“Probably one of the main things that have helped me in my races is going to the chiropractor before every race – that helps me heaps,” he said.
“It helps me race a lot faster and I feel a lot more comfortable and I’m not as stiff and tight.”
