Lucky set to turn back clock

Lakeisha Patterson will wind the clock back 13 years when she dives into the pool next month at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

“Lucky”, 27, who trained at Southern Cross, Lawnton, Burpengary and is now with the Paralymic Hub at USC Spartans, has been named in the 100m freestyle S9.

Though not her pet 400m freestyle, it will take Lucky back to the scene of her Australian debut at the 2014 Commonwealth Games where she won a bronze medal.

That was followed by two gold medals at the 2018 Games on the Gold Coast to go with seven gold, six silver and three bronze from seven Paralympics and World Championships!

The former Caboolture resident is now a senior figure in the 18-strong Australian Para team which will fly to Scotland next month.

“It’s always an honour to wear the green and gold and representing Australia at my fourth Commonwealth Games is special,” Lucky said.

“The Commonwealth Games is the only time on the international stage we get to compete alongside our able-bodied friends, and we have more classifications on offer this time around.

“And I am so excited to have Mia Hogan on the team, who is basically the same age as me when I made my Australian debut!”

Joining Lucky will be Kirralee Hayes, a founding member of Genesis Aquatics at Genesis Christian College, Bray Park.

The 21-year-old from Deception Bay, will swim the 50m and 100m freestyle in the S13 (vision impaired) category at the Commonwealth Games.

It is her first selection for the Australian Para team since the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham where she came home with a 50m freestyle bronze.

Kirralee also made the 2020 Tokyo Olympics team swimming the S13 50m freestyle and 100m butterfly in Japan.

Australia Para Swimming team: Emily Beecroft, Victoria Belando-Nicholson, Jasmin Fullgrabe, Alyssa Gillespie, Jasmine Greenwood, Kirralee Hayes, Timothy Hodge, Mia Hogan, Jack Ireland, Jenna Jones, Beau Matthews, Maddie McTernan, Lakeisha Patterson, Col Pearse, Alex Saffy, Gemma Sellick, Liam Togher, Harrison Vig.

Swimming Australia National Head Coach of the Paralympic Program Mel Tantrum said she was excited about the balance of the Para team.

“There is so much experience and youth in this team,” Swimming Australia National Head Coach of the Paralympic Program Mel Tantrum said.

“From Tim, Col and Lucky through to Mia and all our debutants and the likes of Kirralee Hayes returning to the team – her first Australian team since Birmingham.”