The Heart of a Swimmer: Mia Geise
June 20, 2025
Off the back of her selection in the Queensland team, set to compete at the Australian Schools Swimming Championship in Brisbane in July, Year 8 student Mia Geise talks about her record breaking journey in the face of adversity.
How did you get into swimming, and have you always swum competitively?
When I was two years old my older brother Henry was taking learn to swim lessons at Fairholme, and I used to go along with my parents and was wanting to join in. It is funny to think back, that as a two-year-old I started learn to swim lessons with Mrs Dickinson and she used to tell the instructors to, ‘watch out for Mia as she will jump in the pool when you’re not looking’. I had no fear and just wanted to get on with it.
All the instructors and swim coaches were aware that I had received a liver transplant when I was not even 4 months old. They were very supportive of me, and I went through the learn to swim grades. I commenced swimming competitively at meets when I was about 7 years old and swam for the Junior School at Andrews Cup.
In Year 4 my health took a turn, and the doctors told my parents that I needed another transplant. The family moved to Brisbane to prepare. As I got sicker, I had to give up my favourite activities, including swimming which was really hard. I had a second transplant in Year 5, and six weeks after that, I was feeling healthy again, back at swim squad, but not competing. I returned to Fairholme at the beginning of Year 7 where my THRIVE teacher Mrs Aleesa Barton mentioned to me that I might be eligible to compete in multi class sport events.
When I talked to Dad, he thought it was a great opportunity for me and got me registered to compete in multi class swimming and athletics. I was swimming in Fitness Squad at the time and with the encouragement of the Development Coach Mr Michael (Mick) Winton I returned to swim squad under his guidance.
That was about nine months ago, and in November 2024, I resumed swimming competitively after more than a three year break.
My goals at my first meet was to set new times to simply enable me to swim in multi class events at the Queensland Swimming Championships in December last year. The unexpected happened... I not only set some new times which allowed me to swim at the Queensland Championships, but I set National qualifying times.
This was the start of what has been an extraordinary past six months where I have achieved more than I ever thought was possible.
What does your weekly training schedule look like?
I currently swim up to three times a week with the Development Squad under the guidance of my coach, Mr Mick Winton, and I also participate in two lighter sessions with the Fitness Squad. In addition to swimming, I incorporate a gym session at school to focus on strengthening. During the cross country and track and field seasons, I adjust my training by reducing the number of swim sessions and replacing them with two running sessions to maintain my conditioning.
What do you love about swimming?
It isn’t all about training and competition. I have made lovely friendships with my squad members and the young women I compete against.
Do you have a favourite stroke?
Breaststroke is by far my best stroke and is definitely my favourite. I enjoy the feeling when going through (almost cutting) the water when I am swimming breaststroke.
You are off to Nationals in July, do you have any goals for this meet?
I am selected for multi-class 50m and 100m Breaststroke and 200m Mixed Medley Relay Team A (Breaststroke). Even though I am at the younger end of the 13-15 age group if I swim personal best times, I will be competitive in my individual events. My goal is for personal bests and top 6 finishes, anything better than that will be a bonus.
In the Mixed Medley, we have a real chance of a top 2 finish. It is going to be an exciting 3 days for Coach Mick and me; I am looking forward to it!
Do you have any long-term sporting goals?
My dad says that slow and steady wins the race when it comes to long-term progression in sport and to not get ahead of myself. We take every training block and swim meet as stepping stones to continue with setting personal best times that will in the future hopefully make me the best junior multi-class breaststroker in Australia. If I achieve this, it has potential to open pathways to gain selection in junior teams to compete internationally.
Is there anyone particular who inspires you?
Alexa Leary – A multi-class swimmer and Paralympics gold medallist, and world record holder. Four years ago, while training for triathlon Alexa had a horrible crash on her bike that left her with brain damage and weakness down her right side. Alexa’s courage and determination to learn to speak and walk again and go on to swim for Australia at a Paralympics is extraordinary. It gives me the chills.
MEDALS
Australian Age and Multi Class Age Championships
Bronze: 12–13 Years 50m Breaststroke
Queensland Representative Schools Championships
Bronze: 13–15 Years 50m Breaststroke
Bronze: 13–15 Years 100m Breaststroke
Queensland Championships
Silver: Open 100m Breaststroke
Bronze: Open 50m Breaststroke
Silver: 12–14 Years 50m and 100m Breaststroke
Silver: 12–14 Years 50m and 100m Backstroke
Queensland Sprint Championships
Silver: 12–14 Years 50m Breaststroke
RECORDS
Australian Records Long Course:
- Open: 50m, 100m, and 200m Breaststroke (three records)
- 13 Years and Under: 50m, 100m, and 200m Breaststroke (three records)
Short Course:
- Open: 100m Breaststroke and 100m Medley (two records)
- 13 Years and Under: 50m and 100m Backstroke, 50m and 100m Breaststroke, 100m Medley (five records)
Queensland Records Long Course:
- Open: 50m, 100m, and 200m Breaststroke; 50m and 100m Backstroke (five records)
- 13 Years: 50m and 100m Freestyle, 50m and 100m Breaststroke, 50m & 100m Backstroke (six records)
- 12 Years: 50m and 100m Freestyle, 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke, 50m and 100m Backstroke (seven records)
(Note: No Queensland Short
Course records are maintained for Multi Class)
More News…
Congratulations to Year 9 student, Mia Geise, on her outstanding performance at the 2025 Hancock Prospecting Queensland Swimming Championships. Representing Fairholme Aquatics Swim Club, Mia set new personal bests over the holidays in four of her five events and walked away with an impressive haul of medals and records. Her championship results included: > 4 silver medals in the 12-14 Years Multi-Class 100m Breaststroke, 50m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly and 50m Breaststroke > Australian Records in the Open and 13 Years and Under Multi-Class 100m Breaststroke (SB16 Category) > Queensland Multi-Class Records in the Open 100m Breaststroke, Open 50m Backstroke, and 13 Years events across 50m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke, 50m Backstroke and 50m Butterfly One of the standout moments of the championships was Mia’s qualification for three open finals, where she competed against some of the country’s most experienced swimmers, including two Paralympians and athletes who have represented Australia on the international stage. In elite company, Mia more than held her own, finishing 4th in the 50m Breaststroke, 5th in the 100m Breaststroke, and 6th in the 50m Backstroke. What makes these achievements even more extraordinary is the context behind them. Mia only returned to competitive swimming in December 2024, following an almost three-year break after undergoing her second liver transplant. Her results at this championship are not only a testament to her talent, but to her resilience, determination and unwavering commitment to the sport she loves. Adding to the celebrations, Mia’s coach Michael (Mick) Winton was recognised for his outstanding work at the Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia Awards, held during the championships. Mick was awarded the 2025 Multi-Class Emerging Championship Coach Award, a well-deserved honour that acknowledges his dedication and leadership in supporting Mia’s development over the past year.
Fairholme Year 10 students Georgie Cussons, Amelia Taylor, Anna Le Lievre and Claire Longmire are making the most of their exciting exchange at Oakham School in the United Kingdom, where they will spend six weeks fully immersed in British school life. From classroom learning and social events to sporting fixtures, the girls have wasted no time settling in and making the most of every opportunity. Also in the UK, Gemma Sullivan has begun an 11-week exchange at Bryanston School, where she is already keeping busy through her involvement in netball and the school’s swim, bike, run team. Cindy Deng is likewise enjoying her time abroad, experiencing the traditions and daily life of Rugby School during her own 11-week exchange. Back at Fairholme, we are delighted to be welcoming international students into our community. Joining us for Term 1 are Sienna Hoffman from Bryanston School and Charlotte Campbell from Rugby School, along with Mei Kawasaki and Rio Usami from Keisen High School in Japan. Each brings a unique perspective to campus life, enriching our classrooms and strengthening the global connections that sit at the heart of the Fairholme exchange program.
We are delighted to welcome Mr Rob Anderson as our new Head of Sport, bringing with him a wealth of experience across teaching, coaching, and sport administration throughout Queensland.
