Four-some Max strikes gold again

Max Cunningham, the former member of Grace Swim Club at Rothwell, had no break after his stunning performance at the Australian Age Championships.

The 14-year-old from North Lakes won eight medals (four gold) and set a national record, but was still back training at Churchie on Tuesday afternoon.

Cunningham produced one of the highlights of the age nationals when he took the 14 Years Boys 50m butterfly title in an Australian record time.

The clock stopped at 24.97 seconds, beating the previous best of 25.2 seconds set by Kyle Chalmers, who has since won World, Olympic and Commonwealth gold, in 2013.

Cunningham was also on top of the podium after winning the 14 Years 100m butterfly in 55.71 seconds and 100m backstroke in 59.56 seconds.

Completing his golden quartet was gold in the 13/14 Years mixed medley relay as part of the Queensland team.

There was silver for the 14-year-old in the 50m freestyle in 23.79 seconds, 100m freestyle touching in 52.92 seconds and 50m backstroke in 27.91 seconds.

He won a bronze medal with the boys 14-18 50m medley club relay team and was eighth with the boys 14-18 50m free club relay.

Lily Smith and Lauren Dymond, from Grace Swimming Club in Rothwell, will be rubbing shoulders with the elite of Australia swimming this week.

Smith, 18 and Dymond, 17, are both making their debuts at the Australian Open Championships on the Gold Coast.

The same venue hosted the Australian Age Championships last week with four Grace swimmers competing in 20 races, making six finals and recording 11 personal bests.

Lauren Dymond, 17 and Xander McRae, 13, were making their debuts at the age nationals.

Xander was in his age group’s multi-class events finishing fourth in the 200m IM and 100m breaststroke, sixth in the 50m breaststroke and 100m backstroke, ninth 100m freestyle, 10^th 50m freestyle and 49^th 50m backstroke.

Alia Shaw, 15, was 16^th in the 400m freestyle, 32^nd 200m freestyle and 51^st 100m freestyle.

Macey Lawler, 14, finished 49th in the 100m freestyle, 46^th 50m backstroke and 49^th 100m backstroke. Lauren was 26^th in the 50m butterfly.