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Liam Blair had his sights set on another record-breaking short-course season. Login or signup to continue reading But the talented young swimmer did not expect to finish it with his name against so many new state marks. The recently turned 12-year-old claimed the honour of clocking the fastest ever NSW short course time in 100 metres freestyle for a 10-year-old boy last year. This year, he set new NSW marks for the under-11 boys 200m and 400m freestyle. Confirmation of state records are released at the conclusion of the short-course season and, in all, Blair finished with 10 to his name in NSW Swimming events. The 10 records were officially recognised with a letterbox full of certificates last week. At the NSW Country Championships in July, he broke the NSW Country, NSW and NSW All-comers records for under-11 boys 200m freestyle. Blair broke a further five NSW Country records at the same carnival in 50m and 100m freestyle, 50m and 100m backstroke and 100m Individual Medley. In September at the NSW Junior State Championships he clocked the fastest NSW and NSW All-comers times on record in the under-11 boys 400m freestyle. "The 200 free and the 100 free were the main records I was hoping to get," Blair said. "I didn't get the 100 but I got the 200 and the 400, which was another one I was hoping for. "I knew the certificates were coming but I didn't know how many, so when 10 showed up, I was like, 'Wow.'" It was not only his home state of NSW where the Warners Bay Public School year-six student had success. Blair also managed to break the Queensland All-comers record for his age in the 200m freestyle at the PSSA All Schools National Championships on the Gold Coast in July. It was a mark that had stood for 24 years. Now, the Novocastrian Swim Club competitor and Swansea-Belmont nipper turns his focus to the long-course swimming calendar and another strong surf-lifesaving season. "In the nippers season my goal is to win my fourth state swim in a row," Blair said. "For long-course swimming, I want to try to break a record because I don't think I've got a long-course record." Blair, the son of former national ironman series competitor Josh Blair, made a strong start to the 2024-25 nippers season, winning his age-group race at the Coolangatta Gold Youth Challenge on the Gold Coast on October 12 for the second year in a row. "For the first one I was pretty proud because I made a bet with my dad, I just had to get top four because my dad got fifth when he first did it," he said. Renee Valentine is a sports journalist with more than 20 years of experience in Newcastle. She is passionate about increasing the visibility of sportswomen in the media. Got a sports story, email Renee at r.valentine@newcastleherald.com.au Renee Valentine is a sports journalist with more than 20 years of experience in Newcastle. She is passionate about increasing the visibility of sportswomen in the media. Got a sports story, email Renee at r.valentine@newcastleherald.com.au DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. WEEKLY Follow the Newcastle Knights in the NRL? Don't miss your weekly Knights update. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!

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