GOLDEN EFFORT: Abbey Harkin.
Louth Park’s Abbey Harkin has shot onto the national swimming scene after winning three gold medals at the 2012 Australian Age Championships.
The 13-year-old has excelled at state level previously and most recently picked up nine medals, two meet records and back-to-back age titles at the NSW Combined High Schools Swimming Championships.
But last week’s efforts in Brisbane took Harkin to a new level.
Her success was experienced in the girls’ 12 to 13-years age group, taking out national titles in the 100 metre breaststroke, 200m breaststroke and 200m individual medley.
Harkin narrowly missed a fourth gold in the 400m IM, finishing second in the final and claiming silver to round out a sensational campaign.
Harkin represented Novocastrian Swimming Club at the week-long meet, which wrapped up on Saturday.
She is coached by Michael Legge.
Harkin has been a nominee for Maitland Junior Sportsperson of the Year in two of the last three years (2009, 2011).