A Young Swimmer’s Journey on the Gold Coast
Sienna Toohey, a 17-year-old swimming sensation from Albury, has a unique routine that involves weekly trips to and from Canberra, a mix of on-site and online schooling, and a relentless focus on training. Her dedication has led her to break several junior Australian records, including those set by Olympic gold medallist Leisel Jones.
On Easter Monday, Toohey delivered another impressive performance at the Gold Coast, securing the women’s 100-metre breaststroke title at the Australian Open. Although she didn’t rewrite the record books this time, her time of 1:06.69 was enough to beat nine older competitors, one of whom, Ella Ramsay, is an Olympian.
Balancing School and Training
Toohey, a year 11 student at Albury High School, frequently travels to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) for training. Her schedule is tightly packed, with trips to Canberra on Sunday nights, followed by training sessions from Monday to Thursday mornings. After returning home, she attends school on Thursday afternoons and continues her studies on Fridays.
“I do online school while I’m there [in Canberra], but it’s getting more serious now,” she said. “We’ve linked up with a school in Canberra so I can take my tests there, which is really helpful.”
Her school has been supportive of her dual role as a student and elite athlete. “They’re very supportive of me,” she explained. “I got some of my favorite teachers this year, and having them on my side has been really helpful.”
Toohey has faced challenges in the past with teachers who were less accommodating of her long-distance learning needs. However, the current support system has made a significant difference. “They organized me to do tests in Canberra and everything, and I’m very happy with that.”
Breaking Records and Building Dreams
Toohey made headlines when she broke Leisel Jones’ 15 years 100m breaststroke record during the trials for the Paris 2024 Olympics. She also claimed Jones’ 16 years 100m record at last year’s junior national championships and later bettered her newly set record at the trials for the Singapore world titles.
Her achievements have earned her a spot on the senior Dolphins team for the first time. The moment was emotional, with Toohey shedding tears after touching the wall and again during a pool-side interview with swimming legend Cate Campbell.
Despite her growing fame, Toohey values her normal school life. “My friends at school know I’m a good swimmer, which is good, but that’s not the only thing they care about with me,” she said. “I get the odd comment here and there, but going to school and having that normal teenage experience is really important for me.”
Family Support and Future Goals
In addition to her own success, Toohey’s family plays a vital role in her life. Her brother Jed, who has autism, receives a lot of love and support from her and her other brother, Archie. “Me and Archie have always been really protective over him, and we just love him with all our hearts,” she said.
The upcoming Brisbane 2032 Olympics are a major source of inspiration for Toohey. “They’ve always been pretty clear in my mind,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to go to them because they’re at home.”
She believes that gaining more experience before the 2032 Games is crucial. “Starting where I am now, having made the senior team last year, and getting more experience under my belt is really important,” she added. “It’s made me a lot more excited for them.”
