Peel Aquatic Club distance swimmer Rebekah Weller is chasing the City of Mandurah’s top sporting honour after being named a finalist for the sportsperson of the year award.
Weller’s nomination for the award comes off the back of a stellar 2016 swimming season, which saw her conquer milestones on state and national levels.
But despite her success over the year, the 22-year-old said being named as a finalist came as a shock.
“I wasn’t expecting it at all – I got a phone call to let me know I was a finalist and I was kind of surprised,” she said.
“It’s exciting and I feel honoured to be a finalist.”
Originally from Waroona, Weller first took to the pool competitively 15 years ago, and has since developed a love for open-water swimming.
“Being in the open water means you have to realise you have less control. The swell could change and you swim through schools of stingers and things like that,” she said.
“But it’s much more of a challenge and there are so many elements you have to conquer – I think that’s what I like most about it.”
In 2016 she finished second in the 19.7-kilometre Rottnest Channel Swim and took out a win in Perth’s Port to Pub race, a 25-kilometre ultra-marathon.
She also finished second in WA’s state titles and eighth in the national competition.
“Finishing the Rottnest swim was a really proud moment – my mum was waiting for me at the finish line crying and it was just great,” she said.
“This year has been better than some of the down years I’ve had in the past so it sort of makes you appreciate it more.”
A physiotherapy student at Curtin University, Weller said life was made easier for her when she was placed on the school’s elite athletes program.
“It was pretty hard to juggle studying and swimming but the program sort of balances out the hours you spend doing each for you,” she said.
Weller’s dedication to her craft is evident. The up and comer spends between 18 and 20 hours in the pool each week, and drives to competitions anywhere between Albany and Geraldton.
Despite her hard work throughout the season, Weller remains self-effacing about her chances of claiming the award.
“There are heaps of top athletes in the Peel area so it’s going to be a real tough field,” she said.
“Just to be named as a finalist alongside them is an honour.”
Weller is one of five nominees for the award, which will be presented on Wednesday, November 9.