Mackenzie Gray will help put Singleton on the open water swimming map when participating in the national championships held in Adelaide next week.
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After attempting the 2.5km race at the 2018 state titles with a time of 35:52.28 the young aquatic talent then applied herself last year and successfully completed the 5km discipline.
"I had to try and do the best that I could because I had never done 5km before (October)," Gray told the Singleton Argus.
The 14-year-old has continued to prosper for the Singleton Amateur Swimming Club when recording personal best times in the 100m freestyle (1:02.90s), 50m freestyle (29.15s) and 200m freestyle (2:17.56s) at last month's 2019 NSW State Age Championships.
Yet she was quick to remind all that she will charter different waters on this occasion.
"At the start it's rough and then you have to worry about your goggles falling off and filling up with water and all of that," she explained.
"I just want to try and get a better time in Adelaide and to finish the race; those are my two goals."
Gray, who is about to embark on her Year 9 studies at Hunter Valley Grammar, will then compete in the NSW Country Championships held in Sydney next month.