Long Held Loader record under threat

Thursday, April 02, 2009

JACKSON EYES LOADER RECORDS
Wednesday Mar 25, 2009
By Terry Maddaford

Ewan Jackson went close to Danyon Loader's 200m butterfly record.
Thousands of New Zealand kids have dived in at the deep end in the hope - in their parent's eyes at least - of being the next Danyon Loader. Very few even come close, so when someone does get within a second of a long-standing Loader record it might be time to take notice.
Long-time swim coach Gary Hollywood is not one for wild predictions but in Alfriston College's Ewan Jackson he is confident he might have a youngster capable of challenging some of the marks set by Loader. "He has just turned 15 and is already only a second away off Loader's 200m'fly record and two seconds off his 400m freestyle time at the same age," said Hollywood. "Ewan will have a chance to chase the records at the Australian age-group nationals in mid-April." At the recent North Island age-group championships, year-11 pupil Jackson buckled under the weight of gold. He went to the starting blocks for 10 finals - 100m, 200m 400m freestyle, 100m, 200m butterfly, 100m, 200m backstroke and three relays - and ended each with a gold medal hung around his neck. Given his ability at those three strokes, surely the individual medley is a given. Not so, says Hollywood. "We are not going down the IM line," said Hollywood. "His breaststroke is not strong enough. But we still haven't decided which stroke will be his major focus. "Danyon Loader was tremendous at'fly and freestyle, Ian Thorpe started out as backstroker before shining in freestyle. Time is on our side. I don't see any need to make that call until he is 18." Jackson knows success will only come through hard work and is prepared for that. "I just do it," he said. "If I want to be the best, I have to work hard." Hollywood described Jackson as being laidback, very thoughtful and humble despite his achievements.
Alfriston College Director of Sport Mere Rangihuna said the school had provided support for Jackson and worked alongside him in both his sporting endeavours and his goal of attaining NCEA level one this year.

Source - ASB College Sports