Just ask Meriam Nelson.
The 14 year-old - who is from Berrigan but attends school in Cobram - has earned herself a position competing in the School Sport Victoria State Swimming Championships, which will be held on Friday, April 19.
For Meriam, it is a dream come true.
“I’m very excited,” she said.
“I have always liked the water since I was a kid.”
Meriam previously competed and came out victorious in the recent Hume Swimming Championships, where she came first in 50m butterfly and backstroke and second in 50m breaststroke, missing out on first position by mere milliseconds.
She also competed in the 50m freestyle and the 200m Individual Medley (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle).
For Meriam, the chance to get another victory in her IM event at the Hume championship almost came to fruition if not for an unfortunate case of getting sick mid-race.
"I was about to medal in the 200 IM but felt sick,” she said.
“I was leading half the pool, and then I had to pause and sprint out to throw up in the toilet.”
Despite being sick during one of her events, Meriam is naturally pleased with her results.
“I impressed myself when I got first in the backstroke and second in the breaststroke," she said.
“I wasn’t expecting it, and it was lots of fun.”
Meriam will compete in 50m butterfly and backstroke in Melbourne in the under-15s category and plans to use the state championships to book herself a spot into the Nationals.
As for anyone thinking about taking up swimming, Meriam said that the sport is a lot of fun and that there is a sense of community with the chance of building strong friendships and being able to travel.
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