By Alexandria Tzatzimakis
Swimmer David Burgess,
pictured between coaches Peter Howes, left and Dirk Keesman, made an impressive debut at the Australian Age Championships in Sydney this month. 25638
Picture: Meagan Rogers
RISING swim star David Burgess showed that hard work and dedication definitely pays off after a stellar performance at the Australian Age Championships in Sydney this month.
The 14-year-old finished 26th and 17th respectively in the 100m and 200m breaststroke in what was not only a national debut for him, but also his Paul Sadler Swimland Narre Warren coaches, Dirk Keesman and Peter Howes.
The pain of missing out on qualifying for the national meet by less than a second last year drove Burgess to work even harder in 2009.
“Because I missed out by such a little percentage, it pushed me even more,” he said.
“It was definitely a source of motivation.”
Burgess has trained at Paul Sadler Swimland for more than five years under Keesman, who believes there is a bright future ahead of the talented swimmer.
“I was very excited about his achievements at the Australian Age Championships and David is determined enough to keep going,” he said.
“If he continues to work hard, I think he will go far.”
Burgess, a Mazenod College student, wants to take his swimming to even higher levels after reaching the nationals.
The Rowville resident not only aims to reach the top 10 in both the 100m and 200m breaststroke, but hopes to compete for Australia in the Olympics.
“I race against people that are at my level, forcing me to push just that little bit harder,” he said.
“Hopefully some day I’ll get to the Olympics.”
