Following the School's 9th consecutive Thyne Challenge Shield win, Olympian Will Yang (OKG16) attended the post-Championships lunch with the Knox team, where he shared the story of his first CAS Swimming competition:  

"When I first came from China, swimming was just something I chose to do as a school sport, nothing more. But very quickly, I heard about CAS—the biggest swimming competition at school. Everyone talked about it like it was the Olympics, and immediately, something inside me lit up. I knew right away that I wanted it badly. 

I put my head down and started training hard—four or five sessions a week, pushing myself day after day in the junior squad. But my year group was stacked with talent. We had national-level swimmers like Sam Ritchens (OKG16) - a national champion at the time, and when the CAS team was announced in 2010, my name wasn't on the list—not even as a reserve.

Honestly, it crushed me. But I had a choice: let it break me or let it fuel me. I chose fuel. 

I kept showing up every day, training harder, staying focused. My family stood right behind me, always reminding me, "Even if it's not your time now, your moment will come. Just keep going." 

Two days before CAS—Tuesday afternoon—my junior coach was away, and Coach Steve Goodier stepped in for those sessions. I was swimming faster than ever. After training, Steve asked casually, "Hey Will what are you swimming at CAS?" When I said I hadn't made the team—not even reserve—he looked genuinely shocked. Right then and there, he gave me my shot: "Go grab the gear. You're coming as a reserve. Be ready." I was absolutely stoked when I heard those words. My English was not great at the time, so I just said "YES!!" 

When competition day arrived, the atmosphere was electric. I'd never felt anything like it. It was as if destiny was on my side. One swimmer got sick and didn't show. Another was injured playing cricket just a week earlier. Suddenly, Steve turned to me, called my name, and said, "You're on the relay." 

My heart raced. I stepped onto the blocks, knowing my personal best was only 31.3 seconds for 50 freestyle. But this wasn't just another race—it was my moment. I was anchoring our Year 7 team in the final event of the night, the 4x50 freestyle relay. 

As I hit the water, adrenaline took over completely. Every stroke felt unstoppable and powerful. I touched the wall, looked up, and the arena went dead silent. Then the place erupted—screams, cheers, madness. I glanced up at the scoreboard. Everything went black. Then came the words I'll never forget: 

NEW CAS RECORD. 

I had swum 28.00 flat—over three seconds faster than my PB. That moment changed everything. It taught me never to give up, even when everything seems stacked against you. Because sometimes, when you least expect it, life gives you your shot. I had to stayed prepared, and when the oppotunity was there, it was mine to grab." 

Photo: Will with 2024 Captain of Swimming, Zac Barrett 

Paris 2024 

Will Yang also donated his Paris 2024 blazer to the Knox Heritage Centre. Representatives of the victorious Knox Swim Team, including Captain, Zac Barrett, visited the Heritage Centre to see Will's blazer up-close. 

We join the School in thanking Will for his generous donation to the Archives.