Rainbow Flat swimmer Nash Wilkes has continued to prove his star is on the rise following a strong showing at the Swimming NSW Senior State Championships at Homebush last month.
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Nash finished second to current Australian and Commonwealth record holder Matthew Wilson in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and in the process set himself new personal best times in both events.
He also finished eighth in the final of the 200m individual medley.
Nash's father Darren said his son was more than happy with the results.
"He was over the moon," Darren said.
"To run second to Matthew Wilson, you've got to be proud and happy with that because he's the best."
Darren said the results were a good indication that Nash was on an upward trajectory, with the 19-year-old still considerably younger than many of his opponents, including the 22-year-old Wilson.
Currently ranked number one for his age in Australia in the short course 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke, Nash will now turn his attention to the Australian Age Swimming Championships on the Gold Coast in April, where he is hoping for some more big results.
In the meantime, he'll use the NSW Country Championships at Homebush next month as a warm-up.
He's also set to compete at the Australian Swimming Trials in Adelaide in June, which will decide the spots for the 2021 Australian Olympic team.
While Nash is hoping to do well there, Darren says his son isn't putting too much pressure on himself and is aiming for the more realistic goal of making the 2024 Olympics.
"He's just hoping to make the finals," Darren said.
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