IN THE SWIM: West Wallsend Swimming Club teammates Matthew Pender and Jacob Sansom.
CLUB teammates Matthew Pender and Jacob Sansom are developing a healthy rivalry following the black line up and down West Wallsend swimming pool.
Both Jacob (aged 13) and Matthew (aged 15) walked away from the recent NSW Age Championships at Sydney Olympic Park with a fistful of medals.
Jacob and Matthew won gold in their respective 100-metre and 200m backstroke events, with Jacob picking up a state record in the 100m to boot.
He also picked up silver in the 50m freestyle and bronze in the 100m butterfly and the 100m freestyle events.
Matthew was first to touch the wall in the 400m freestyle.
He also came second in the 1500m free and 200m butterfly events and third in the 100m butterfly.
Both of the boys train six times a week under their coach Kengo Yagami.
Mr Yagami said the pair trained hard and had the mental strength to reach high levels in the sport.
Matthew said he was pleased with his progress, after recently dropping soccer from his after-school routine to concentrate solely on swimming.
He grew up with a pool in his backyard and a love for water.
Matthew hopes to continue to advance through the ranks of the sport.
He is now eyeing a medal at the upcoming Australian Age Swimming Championships to be held in April in Adelaide.