Swimming
23 April, 2025
Matuschka sets sights on US
Horsham swimming champion Jacob Matuschka, 19, will head to the United States in August to study finance in New York but the smile on his face is about the opportunity to make the swimming squad there and pursue his dream of a swimming career.
Living 20 minutes from Niagra Falls will be a dream come true but the work ahead for Jacob is not lost on him.
"Between now and August I'll continue my training schedule so I'm in the best shape when I get there," he said.
"I don't have time to pick up form after I arrive.
"With 60 others in the team, to make the final cut I'll have to be in the best shape possible.
"I want to make an impression right from the start to give myself the best chance."
Jacob has been swimming since he was about eight, when he joined Horsham Sharks.
"It was this opportunity in my home town that made it possible and I'll always be grateful for that," he said.
He credits his parents for the opportunities he's had.
"Mum and Dad have done whatever it takes to get me to this stage in my swimming dream," Jacob said.
"They've given up a lot, and that includes time."
When he started training in Melbourne, when he was in Year 10, it meant travelling there every Friday and often staying in the city overnight.
With weekends reserved for swimming, dedication to school studies was essential throughout the week.
"Mum did a lot of the travelling with me, so as well as wanting to do well in America for myself, I want to do my best for everything my parents have given up for me to have this opportunity."
He trains up to eight times a week and mostly alone – something he says doesn't give him a measure of his own ability so he's looking forward to training with a team in the US.
But being a high achiever and his dedication have been major factors in his success.
"I've always set targets for myself and I think that's helped me better myself," Jacob said.
Athletes receive a lot of support in the US so that's an attraction for the teenager, but as far as the Olympics go, it might be a dream but it isn't his goal.
"I just want to do well in the Australian Championships and be in the best health and fitness state I can be in for August when I leave for America," he said.
"From then I'll see what I can achieve without putting too many expectations on myself."
Jacob is training for the Australian Open Championship in Brisbane this month and is in the pool in Horsham as soon as it opens at 6am and is back again at 6pm to do it all again.
He has a goal to better his personal best in Brisbane as a marker of his training.
"I don't follow a strict diet but I do eat healthily," he said.
"I do have a habit or a routine I follow before each race: I eat and drink the same thing each time.
"It's not because it necessarily affects or improves my performance but I know it works for me and that's important."
Until he signed the letter of commitment with his university in the US it didn't seem real, but once he did that he couldn't stop smiling, Jacob said.
"It seemed out of reach until then," he said.
"But now it is a reality and I can talk about it, I have the biggest smile on my face and can't stop."
Jacob said his parents were very happy for him but it might be tough for them all to begin with because of the distance.
"Mum's going over with me to the US to get me settled and I'm sure they'll visit me," he said.
Jacob has a list of achievements since he first stepped into the pool with his sights set on whatever he could achieve.
"I haven't set goals too far ahead but I do have dreams," he said.
"If I had to name goals, they would be short-term: just to keep bettering myself and see where I can go with it."
Jacob will study finance at Canisius University in Buffalo, New York, and said he believed financial knowledge was important for everyone.
