Casey TigerSharks backstroker Brad York continues to produce great results as others leave the sport. 20944By Marc McGowan
MANY swimmers leave the sport once they reach their late teens, but Casey TigerShark Brad York is thriving more than ever.
Fresh from a quality display at the Victorian Open Short Course Championships, where the 18-year-old was the third-fastest Victorian in the 50m and 100m backstroke events, York has set his sights on achieving plenty more in the pool.
“They were probably some of the best results I’ve had,” he said.
“I’m actually loving it more than ever, which is kind of unusual.
“People get sick of it as they swim longer, but the last six months I’ve really enjoyed training.”
York completed his junior career at the Australian Age Championships in Brisbane in April with a top-10 placing in the 100m backstroke among other impressive performances.
The Berwick resident won the same race at the Victorian Age Championships in January, also scoring bronze medals in the 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly.
York has also assumed the role of elder statesman at the TigerSharks, offering advice when asked to the likes of Craig Watson, Trent Lindsey and McKenzie Cunningham.
“I love that. They come and ask me how to deal with things sometimes,” he said.
“One thing I try to keep in mind is to be a role model for the swimmers younger than me and set a good example, train hard and listen to the coach.
“When you swim in a squad, you notice when someone is or isn’t working to their best and I want to be one of the ones who always gives 100 per cent.”
York has dropped from 10 sessions a week to nine since starting university, but has maintained his weekly pool hours, which are often as high as 25, on top of his time in the gym.
He spends four days a week studying a double degree in engineering and commerce at Monash University in Clayton.
“I miss the structure of school. I used to go straight from training to school on the bus and go to training after school every day, but it’s been good,” York said.
“It’s very different. Sometimes if I’m at home tired and don’t feel like going I have that choice now, whereas with school you can’t miss a day because you’re tired.”
Despite his association with swimming being seemingly rosy now, York admits there were times a couple of years ago when he did contemplate quitting the sport.
“When (good friend and former TigerShark) Rob Carlson first quit a year-and-a-half or two years ago, I probably thought something was missing and I had some doubts, but I’m glad I didn’t quit,” he said.
“During year 12 I didn’t move forward as much because I was studying more, but I’ve been moving forward fairly progressively each year.”
York’s mother Ann is full of admiration for her son.
“Brad’s got this passion for swimming and just loves it,” she said.
“He’s got a bit more growing to do in terms of filling out because male swimmers mature a bit later.
“The thing about swimming is they work extremely hard and are very disciplined and focused and achieve a lot – that’s probably why he did so well at school.”
