Caitlyn breaks 35-year-old record

A PIOPIO teen broke three “huge” long-standing records in the 15-year-old girls’ age group at the Piopio Swimming Club last Thursday.

Caitlyn Cody broke the 100 metre individual medley record held by Kim Alcock since 1989 and the 100m backstroke record held by Sasha Irwin since 2001.

She also demolished the 100m freestyle record held by Catherine Pickering since 1991.

The season started off like any other for Caitlyn; if anything, she felt unfit. But she had a chance to break some ground.

“Last year, I was close to some records, so this year I thought I’d go for them, “ she said.

She is grateful to her parents and her dedicated volunteer coach Lee Alcock for “pushing me in every stroke, and every day, rain or shine.”

Lee is thrilled with Caitlyn’s achievement.

“It is huge, it is absolutely huge,” she said.

“Those records had been there for a long time.

“And in my 17 years coaching, there were only one or two kids who even looked like they were going to beat them.”

She told Caitlyn about the records at the start of the season; after that, the two were intentional about working towards breaking them.

It was going to be a challenge, but Lee knew her student would “give it everything”.

After the records were broken, Lee contacted the previous record holders, including her cousin, Kim Alcock.

None knew their records had been still standing, and all wished Caitlyn the best of luck.

Caitlyn’s mum Kimberley Cody describes her daughter as “a natural swimmer”.

Where does she get her talent? Not from her family.

“The rest of us sink,” she said. “I don’t think some of us could swim a lap.”

Caitlyn’s swimming story began after she developed appendicitis and later suffered a serious peritonitis infection. She was in hospital for a month.

Although she had been a competitive dancer, she lost her place on the teams she had been in due to this illness. As part of that setback, she also lost the chance to compete overseas.  

The doctors suggested she try swimming, so she took herself to the Piopio pool and started swimming laps.

It turned out a local community member, pool trustee Sheryl Johnson, immediately recognised Caitlyn’s ability to work hard and get results.

Although Sheryl was just at the pool doing maintenance, she saw Caitlyn’s speed and skill, and called over swimming club supporter, Lee.

Impressed by her speed, Lee assessed her and suggested to her mother that she join the swimming club.

Fast forward to this week, and Kimberley couldn’t be prouder of her record-breaking daughter, particularly her humble attitude.

“I actually am proud of her because she didn’t skite about it, there was no jumping up and down, no rubbing it in.

“All she said was, ‘Mum, I just broke three records’ and I haven’t heard her mention it again.”

Caitlyn had been so low-key that Kimberley just thought, “whatever”.

It was only after speaking to Lee that it “really sank in”.

The youngster doesn’t just compete, she also gives back, spending many hours of her own time mentoring younger swimmers, and writing out certificates for them.

Caitlyn doesn’t see swimming as a future career.

“It’s more just my hobby, and I have no plans for it at this stage,” she said