A talented young swimmer who had her first lessons in Corryong as a baby, has fallen short in her first attempt at securing a berth in the Australian team for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Molly Walker (17) swam a personal best time when she finished 8th in the final of the 400m freestyle Australian Olympic swimming trials on Monday night, behind winner Ariane Titmus who was just 0.06 seconds outside her own world record.

Molly started swimming lessons at six months of age at the Corryong pool and then joined the Corryong Crocs swim club at around six years old.

Her dedication was evident from that young age as the Corryong pool was only open for four months of the year so outside the season she trained in the local doctor’s pool – four strokes per lap, turn and repeat.

Molly moved to Maslin Beach, a southern coastal suburb of Adelaide, in 2016 with her parents Sallyanne and Jason and her brothers and announced herself as a top flight competitor at the Australian Olympic trials in June 2021 when she won her heats of the 400m and 800m freestyle events.

At the time she was asked what is what like mixing it in the pool with swim stars Titmus and Kaylee McKeown.

“I’ve always looked up to them because they just do everything and execute everything to a tee,” she replied.

“Ariarne swims the same races as I do and always looks so confident, calm, cool and collected.”

Molly will make another bid to make the Olympic team when she competes in the 800m freestyle event today.

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 13 June 2024.