Swimming
Friess top-notch in two pursuits
By Paul Haigh
Multi-talented: Loui Friess, adept at swimming and hockey, also follows the St George Illawarra Dragons and loves watching motor sports.
Picture: Angelo Velardo
Year 10 Westfields Sports High student Loui Friess isn't just a talented swimmer, he also plays with the Moorebank
Hockey Club's men's sixth grade team.
"I love hockey and swimming," Loui said.
The 184-centimetre, 71-kilogram athlete finds time to balance the training regimen for both sports and school studies.
His mother, Kaylene, got Loui into the water when he was a baby.
"My parents wanted me to know how to swim so i wouldn't drown," he said.
Loui said he combined the two sports.
He is a member of the ABC Swimming Centre under coach Justin Rothwell, based at the Whitlam Leisure Centre.
"I have been coached by Justin since I was nine," Loui said "I would say Justin and my parents have been the most influential people in my life."
Loui recently returned from the national age titles in Brisbane with two gold medals and a bronze.
The teenager won the 15 years 1500-metres and five-kilometres freestyle and finished third in the 15 years 400-metres freestyle.
Loui turned 16 just after the Brisbane titles.
Rothwell said Loui has shown "tremendous progress" over the past 12 months.
"Loui has now won gold medals in distance events at
two consecutive national age titles in the 1500-metres
events," Rothwell said.
"He has trained hard in recent months to get to the level
where he's at. The boy has the right attitude, he trains hard
and he listens."
He is ranked 20th in Australia for the 1500-metres event.
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