Allan McLean stormed to victory in the Victorian Public School Swimming Association 50metre freestyle state final in March.Marc McGowan
PAKENHAM Secondary College student Allan McLean, 18, received a Southern Metropolitan Region School Sports Award on Sunday for his outstanding swimming performance this year.
McLean, who decided to have an extended break from swimming last year, took out the Victorian Public School Swimming Association 50metre freestyle state final in March.
“I won the interdistrict and then we had the zones and I came second there; I just got pipped out,” he said.
“Fortunately, we had states and I pipped the other guy out who beat me in the previous round.”
McLean, who is a lifeguard at the Casey Arc, started swimming when he was three and competitively at 10, when he lived in Mildura.
“It was a good stress relief; just a bit of fun,” he said. “It’s a bit more competitive down here in Melbourne and the enjoyment factor isn’t really there.”
After spending so much time in the pool throughout his life, his greatest achievement has come since he stopped training.
“I’ve made state before, but I’ve never really gotten into the top three or anything,” McLean, who moved to Pakenham five years ago, said.
“I was looking at (training) six or seven times a week, but that is just too much.
“Other coaches may think otherwise, but that’s where a lot of swimmers burn out, unfortunately.”
