Westfields Sports ________________________________________________________________   First In Australia Games, set and splash for new pool queen By ANGELINA DRAGA and WAYNE COUSINS Fairfield's golden girl in the pool, Amanda Pascoe, has made the team for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. The rising swim star has also qualified for the Pan Pacific Championships in Yokahama. In her pet 800m freestyle, the 17-year-old from Greenfield Park clocked 8:38.34 to defeat second place getter Jennifer Reilly by more than four seconds at the Chandlet Aquatic Centre in Brisbane. In January, Amandabroke the Commonwealth record, with a time of 8:17.64. In the 400m freestyle, she swam in second place being outpaced by Elke Graham, with her time being 4:4.10. "I was a bit nervous in the 800m," Amanda told the Champion by phone on Saturday. MAKING A SPLASH...This dramatic photo of local girl Amanda Pascoe was shot as she neared the end of her 800m freestyle event in Brisbane, qualifying for our Commonwealth Games team. -------------------------------------------------------------------Photo: CRAIG GOLDING "Making the team in the 800m relieved the preasure for the 400m swim. The 400m was a good race. It was fun - that is what it is all about. We [Elke and her] both made the team so that was good." COMMONWEALTH COMPETITOR... Amanda Pascoe at Westfields Sports High School, shortly before leaving for last week's championships in Brisbane. Photo: HELEN NEZDROPA Amanda said she was ecstatic at joining the Australian Commonwealth team. "I am happy to be able to represent Australia," she said. "I suppose I want to take more off my time for the 800m and to get another gold medal". Her coach, Alan Thompson, said he was very proud. "It was a good solid swim by Amanda. She she still has to come down a bit with her time to be in contention with the rest of the world, but she is right up there in terms of the Commonwealth," he said. Amanda said one challenge she faces is her schooling. "Swimming does get in the way [and] takes up a lot of time," she said. "I don't think I will have much time for it this year. Amanda left on Monday for Moscow to compete in the sixth World FINA World Swimming championship in the 400m and 800m freestyle. On her return, there is only going to be time for a short break before more intensive training begins for her preparations for the Commonwealth Games, to be held in Britton in July-August. With thank to 27th March 2002 Swimming Home Page Contents Index About-Us Credits Information Links News Publications Search Sports Staff Students.Work Year 12 Copyright © 1999-2003 Westfields Sports . All TradeMarks belong to their Owners.