Sam Hollands (in front) competes in the 200m butterfly at the Olympic qualifiers in Adelaide.
Pallamallawa talent, Sam Hollands has recently been swimming in Adelaide for the Olympic qualifiers.
First up she competed in her 100-metre butterfly against 94 other swimmers and placed 52nd but her biggest achievement in this race was setting a new personal best.
Her next race was the 200 metre butterfly.
Hollands placed 28th out of 45.
Today Hollands is looking forward to the 50-metre butterfly.
“I’m not nervous it’s all for experience and a bit of fun,” she said.
Our local Olympian, Angela Walker, used to train Hollands and went to watch her race in Adelaide.
Hollands has been swimming since she was seven and has always had talent.
“It was a proud moment for me to be in the stands watching her race,” Walker said.
Walker trained Hollands when she was 11 and took her to the Queensland State Titles. There she was the first Australian to participate.
“She has progressed because she has worked hard and deserves it,” Walker said.
Hollands definitely works hard, training up to 10 sessions per week which consists of swimming laps, running and hard exercise.
Last year, Hollands was studying in Year 12, prefect and swimming captain of her school, and still training in her spare time.
Hollands’ mother, Sandra is very proud of her daughter’s efforts.
“She is such a hard worker and doing so well,” she said.
From Pallamallawa to Adelaide this 18-year-old is an Olympian in the making, just waiting for her next opportunity to shine.