Canowindra High School's Ava Thornberry has had a great swim at the NSW Combined High Schools (CHS) Championship to claim gold in the under 14s 50 metre Freestyle.
Ava claimed gold in the Under 14s 50 metre Freestyle championship with her time of 27.64 seconds in the championships, hosted over three days from 7-9 April.
This time was also a personal best for Ava.
She also claimed silver in the Girls Under 14 100 metre Freestyle Championship with a time of 1.01.51.
Ava started her swimming career training at Canowindra Aquatic Centre before starting travel to Orange where she swims six days a week for the increased competitive training opportunities.
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This is the first gold Ava has claimed at this level, and heading into the final, Ava said she was a little nervous heading into the final race knowing she was ranked first from the heats.
Ava said once she finished the race and saw the times it was a really good feeling knowing she had won.
Ava will now head off to compete at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championship hosted in Sydney on 22-23 May.
Canowindra High School Principal Brad Robinson said this is an amazing effort from Ava who sacrifices so much to compete and train, without sacrificing her education.
Mr Robinson said Ava makes a huge commitment to make it to her swim training every morning in Orange and then back to Canowindra in time for school.
He said the gold medal at the CHS Championship was well earned reward for that commitment.
