When you break a long-standing NSW record held by one of the greatest swimmers the Illawarra has produced, it's clear you're on track to achieve big things in the sport.
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That's exactly what emerging talent Sydney Brown did earlier this month, the 15-year-old swimming 24.99 to break Emma McKeon's NSW record and claim gold in the short course 50 metre freestyle event at the State Teams Cup.
The swim was one of many impressive results for Brown at the event, with the Wests Illawarra Aquatic Swim Club member also out-swimming older rivals to claim the 15-16 years 100m freestyle.
Brown was joined in the NSW team by clubmate Chelsea Jones, who finished second in the 13-14 years 50m freestyle and third in the 100m and 200m freestyle.
Brown said it was an incredible feeling to break a record held by one of her idols.
"It felt so good to swim that fast," Brown said. "I just wanted to get a PB, my previous PB was 25.46 so to go under 25 I was really surprised.
"To get a half-a-second PB over 50m in such a short time, it's so surprising and not something I thought I'd be able to do.
"It's always exciting to get close to Emma's times, she's one of my idols and such an amazing swimmer. I look up to her and it lets me know I'm on the right track.
"I didn't know I had broken the record until after the race, so it was a good surprise to find out."
Brown has been rewarded for her efforts in the pool throughout the past year with selection in the 2020 Australian Flippers squad.
That selection will see her attend a training camp alongside some of the country's top junior swimmers at the Australian Institute of Sport.
"I hadn't really heard about that squad before, so I was pretty surprised to get picked. I can't wait for the Flippers camp in January next year.
"My coach James Greathead is going too, so we can both get a lot out of the support and resources Swimming Australia provide. I'm also looking forward to meeting new swimmers from all around Australia."
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