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Teenage swimmer Zoe Pedersen of Little Manly is one of only seven competitors selected by Swimming NZ to contest the Junior World Championships in Israel in September.
Getting a place on the team meant meeting tough criteria, based on times, and Zoe trained hard to get there.
Her 50m freestyle in a time of 25:63 at the recent National Age Group Championships did the trick. She also won gold at the Age Group Champs for that event, along with the 100m fly and 100m freestyle.
In Israel, the 16-year-old will compete in the 50m and 100m freestyle, and 50m fly.
Zoe has been swimming at Northern Arena in Silverdale since she was three years old, and joined Coast Swim Club to start competing when she was eight.
There are early morning starts for the Whangaparāoa College student, who trains from 5am-7am at the pool, six days a week.
Although she competed in Australia at the end of last year, as part of the Auckland team, the trip to Israel, and training camp prior in Dubai, will be next level and she is excited about competing at this top level in her sport.
She says she feels lucky to be part of Coast Swim Club, which is punching above its weight in competition and has provided top coaches like Steve Kent and John Gatfield.
