Tessa pins Games hopes on diagnosis

(posted 29.03.10)

The Commonwealth Games aspirations of Tessa Wallace remain alive after the Pelican Waters swimmer was named in Australia’s squad to contest August’s Pan Pacific Championships in California.

However, her chances may well depend on whether Tessa, a Matthew Flinders Anglican College Year 12 student, receives favourable news from doctors.

Despite being diagnosed with a torn meniscus before this month's Australian Swimming Championships, the 16-year-old narrowly missed automatic Commonwealth Games selection after finishing third in the 200m breaststroke final.

However, Australian selectors have dispensation to select up to 10 more swimmers who perform well at the Pan Pacs for October’s Delhi Games.

After her knee improved slightly during the Australian titles, Wallace’s father and coach John said his daughter would seek a second opinion on the injury by having an MRI this week.

“The specialists are saying there’s a tear in the meniscus, but because it’s improved over the last week there’s a possibility it’s not,” Wallace said.

“She’s booked in for an operation on Tuesday week, and if the MRI says there’s a tear there we’ll do the operation.”

Wallace praised Tessa’s determination to secure a podium finish in her pet event, despite suffering from the untimely ailment.

“She had the worst preparation. She just swam that with guts,” he said.

“She was hurting big time, but she got there.”

Wallace joins fellow Sunshine Coasters, Kawana Waters’ Samantha Hamill and Noosa’s Nick D’Arcy, on Australia’s 51-strong Pan Pacific squad.

D’Arcy and Hamill have already secured their places at the Commonwealth Games. D’Arcy won the 200m butterfly at the Australian titles while Hamill claimed silver in the 200m butterfly and 400m individual medley.

Jon Tuxworth, Sunshine Coast Daily (March 23, 2010)