By Kirra Livingstone
GLASSHOUSE Christian College student, Daniel Merenkov, recently attended his first Queensland School State Championship, with four top 10 placings.
Daniel came 5th in the 200m individual medley, 6th in the 100m back stroke, 4th in the 100m butterfly, and 9th in the 50m butterfly.
“We are very proud and we always tell him no matter how well you do, you’ll always have support from your family,” Daniel’s father, Alex said.
“In life and sport in particular, you can win or lose but we will always love him and support him.”
Daniel’s mother, Galina, added he did an amazing job at his first state championship.
“He smashed all of his personal bests in his finals, he had some very competitive rounds,” she said.
“He swam amazingly, he exceeded all expectations and his timings.”
Alex and Galina said Daniel has always loved being in the water, and that he has always been passionate about training hard in the pool.
“He has been swimming from a very young age, he started at three or four years old and he can never stop,” Alex said.
“We have never convinced Daniel that he has to go to the pool, he always wants to do more, even after training sometimes he wants to stay and do a couple of extra things. He loves it.”
Daniel is a naturally athletic kid, playing basketball, tennis and competes in cross country.
But Galina said swimming has always been his favourite sport.
The nine-year-old novice has big dreams with swimming at the forefront of his mind.
“Next year when he comes back he wants to win at the state championships so hopefully he can progress to nationals,” Alex said.
“He also wants to go to the Olympics to represent Australia at a national level.”
Daniel was a champion in school level districts last year and this year.