Erin makes a splash

ERIN Gallagher, a Grade 10 pupil at St Mary’s DSG, has been selected as the school’s SPAR Star of the Month.

The talented athlete is set to compete in the 4 x 100 medley races in this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 3 August.

She will be competing alongside old Westville High School boys, Chad Le Clos and Leith Shankland, Trudy Marais, Marlies Ross Karen Prinsloo, Calvin Justice and Darren Murry.

In January she also competed in the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series held in Australia, where she took third place.

Erin has been swimming since she was seven years old, and has been swimming competitively for four years. “I love it. I find it very relaxing. I do get nervous before I have to compete though, but I do thrive when I am under pressure,” said Erin.

According to her mother, Lisa, Erin is a very determined athlete. “She gets her determination from her father, James. She always tries to do her best. She just has a natural talent,”said Lisa.

Erin said she was inspired to start swimming competitively by her grandfather, who use to play water polo. “I never got any pressure from anyone. I just decided that I wanted to compete because I love swimming,”said Erin.

She trains with Graeme Hill and Delon Dannhauser, of the Seagulls Swimming Club.