Perthshire swimmer Evan Davidson is continuing to live life in the fast lane.
The Strathallan School student has added a haul of medals to his CV after a successful week of racing at the Scottish National Short Course Championships.
Evan, from Forgandenny, impressed by powering to junior gold in the 200 freestyle, 200 butterfly, 200IM, 400 freestyle and the 400IM in the waters of the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh.
“This was our target meet for the end of the year and, from September, we had been working towards it,” said 15-year-old Evan. “We had worked on medley and freestyle, which paid off.
“Training had been good over the past month. We did a bit of race-pace training and that gave me a bit of confidence in terms of posting times.
“The expectation is always to do well and I would say I exceeded my expectations in a few of the races.
“It was an open meet so I was racing against universities and swimmers who have represented Great Britain.
“It was a bit of a step but I feel I managed it well. I managed to race with them and even beat some of them.
“Getting that experience was really good for me and I could see how they warm-up, cool down and what they do minutes before racing. You can always learn a few things.”
Evan works with well-respected coach Elaine Johnston, from Scone, at Strathallan and she has previously helped Olympic star Duncan Scott and local talent Scott McLay shine on the international stage.
“This is my third year with Elaine now, I have progressed well and it is nice to see I’m improving,” explained Evan, who occasionally trains and competes with Perth City Swim Club.
“Elaine and the school have previously had Duncan Scott and Scott McLay. Seeing the work they have done with swimming, it is good to know that I can trust the process and that it has been done before.
“Hopefully I can keep progressing in the same way and start going to bigger, international meets.
“But I’ve not really thought about anything beyond two or three years’ time.”
Evan has already picked up experience competing overseas and travelled to the European Youth Olympic Festival in Slovakia in the summer - alongside Elaine - with Great Britain.
Now he has jetted out to Canada with GB for his latest trip where he is set to race in the Ontario International.
“In the summer the experience was really good and I learned new things about the sport,” Evan said.
“I learned how much it is different racing abroad compared to at home. You need to be more independent, manage your sleep and your food.
“In Canada, we have three days worth of racing - heats and finals hopefully.
“When I get back from Toronto I will be off for Christmas and New Year, then back to it in January.
“Then it will be the build-up towards the British Championships in April in Sheffield. That is a selection meet where, if you do well, you can make international teams again.”
