SWIMMING
Three rising talents from Mackay Cyclones Swimming Club have made waves on the national stage, earning recognition both in and out of the pool.
Dakota Hull, Ava Seawright, and Isabelle Sharpe recently returned from the 2024 National Short Course Championships with impressive results, while fellow Cyclone Anisa Helou has been named as one of just 18 recipients of the prestigious Hancock Prospecting Patron Scholarship.
The scholarship program, awarded to swimmers aged 13–18, provides financial and developmental support to assist with training and competition. Helou will now be part of the Olympic Pathway, representing North Queensland alongside Townsville’s Coby McCloskey.
On the competition front, Hull collected a series of top-ten finishes, including bronze in the 200m freestyle, fourth in both the 200m butterfly and 400m freestyle, fifth in the 400m individual medley, seventh in the 100m freestyle and 200m IM, and ninth in the 100m butterfly.
Seawright placed inside the top ten in three events — 10th in both the 100m butterfly and 100m IM, and ninth in the 200m IM — while Sharpe claimed ninth in the 100m backstroke.
The club also acknowledged the efforts of Coach Leigh-Anne, who guided the swimmers through their preparation and competition schedule.