Monash swimmers hitting the world stage

 Monash University Swimming Club is making a huge splash in the world of swimming with up and coming swimmers named in Olympic and national squads.    

Club member and Monash Sport employee Daniel Lee recently returned from Sri Lanka after making his home country’s Beijing Olympic squad for the 50m freestyle.    

Junior swimmer Kahlia Marsh has been chosen in the national Flippers squad following her silver medal in the 13 and under 200m butterfly final at the recent Australian Age Championships in Brisbane. The Flippers will compete against New Zealand from July 6-12.    

In early June, Lee returned to Sri Lanka for Olympic trials and managed to smash his personal best, swimming 23 seconds for the 50m freestyle. At only 18, Lee is the youngest male to representing Sri Lanka in swimming.    

Lee said he was excited and nervous about the challenge ahead.    

“I am so stoked to be in the squad and representing my country,” he said.  “My ambition for the 2008 Olympics is to do 22 seconds for the 50m freestyle and    be an automatic qualifier for the 2012 Olympics in London“.    

The day after the trials he returned to Monash and resumed very hard training with his international level coach Ross Price.    

Marsh, originally from the country Victorian town of Kerang, moved to Melbourne in April to study at a local school. She is also staying with the swimming club president and secretary.    

The club awarded Marsh a scholarship after she won seven medals at the Victorian Age Swimming Championships in January. She also competed in the Australian Open Age Water Championships in April, where she finished fifth overall in the 5km swim.    

The club has also appointed World Masters swimming champion Ebony Ebenwaldner as a full-time coach. Ebenwaldner won the 2008 Pier to Pub as well as winning three gold, one silver and two bronze medals at the 2008 FINA World Masters Championships.    

Ebony has been a part-time squad coach for the past 12 years including time with Ian Thorpe's coach Doug Frost.    

For further information, please contact Monash Sport Media Communications Coordinator, Steve Pogonowski, on 0400 126 886 or 9905 8818.