Australian Championships: Day Two Final Live Recap

2016 HANCOCK PROSPECTING AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS (AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC TRIALS)

Women’s 100 Backstroke Multi-Class

After Ellie Cole starting off her Australian National Championships by setting a new IPC world record in the 50 freestyle she returned to the pool on the second day of competition to win the 100 backstroke in a time of 1:10.69. Cole won this event at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

Maddison Elliot finished second in a time of 1:19.59 followed by Lakeisha Patterson who hit the wall in a time of 1:19.84.

Men’s 100 Backstroke Multi-Class

Michael Anderson took the men’s 100 backstroke in a time of 1:00.96. He was followed by Jeremy McClure who posted a 1:10.23 and Brenden Hall who recorded a 1:05.45.

Women’s 100 Butterfly – Final

  • Olympic Qualifying Standard – 58.05
  • Australian Record – Jessicah Schippher – 56.23

Emma McKeon took the women’s 100 butterfly Australian National Championship crown for the second year in a row. winning the event in a time of 56.89, well under the Olympic qualifying standard of 58.05. McKeon came into the competition with a lifetime best of 57.24, which she recorded just a month ago at the New South Wales State Championships. Last night in the semi-finals she improved on that recording a 57.13 and then dipped under the 57 second mark for the first time this evening.

McKeon finished fourth in this event in Kazan where she put up a time of 57.67. Her time tonight places her third in the world rankings.

2015-2016 LCM Women 100 FLY

SarahSWE
SJOSTROM
08/07
55.48 *WR*OR
2Penny
OLEKSIAK
CAN56.46 *WJR08/07
3Kelsi
WORRELL
USA56.4806/27
4Dana
VOLLMER
USA56.5608/06
5Xinyi
Chen
CHN56.7208/07
View Top 26»

McKeon’s St Peters Western teammate Madeline Groves finished second in a time of 57.08 beating her previous lifetime best of 57.43. Groves, whose time puts her sixth in the world rankings, also swam this event in Kazan where she missed qualifying for the final by 12 one-hundredths of a second.

Olympic bronze medalist Alicia Coutts finished third and well under the Olympic qualifying standard of 58.05, unfortunately only two athletes are allowed to swim the event in Rio. Coutts is attempting to qualify for her third Olympic before hanging up her goggles after Rio.

  1. Emma McKeon – 56.89
  2. Madeline Groves – 57.08
  3. Alicia Coutts – 57.27
  4. Brianna Throssell – 58.07
  5. Brittany Elmslie – 58.77
  6. Jemma Schlicht – 59.34
  7. Gemma Cooney – 59.39
  8. Emily Washer – 59.43

Men’s 200 Freestyle – Semi-Final

  • Olympic Qualifying Standard – 1:46.45
  • Australian Record – Ian Thorpe – 1:44.06

Thomas Fraser-Holmes recorded the the top time in the men’s 200 freestyle semi-final hitting the wall in a time of 1:46.71, just off the Olympic qualifying standard of 1:46.45. Fraser-Holmes will be looking to equal or better his 2014 performances in the 200 freestyle where he won both the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships. He finished 2013-14 season with the world’s top time of 1:45.08.

Cameron McEvoy finished second in a time of 1:46.83 while Daniel Smith had the third fastest qualifying time of 1:47.30.

The times in the semi-final did not mean much, the goal for all of the men was to finish in the top eight thus giving themselves an opportunity to qualify for Rio in tomorrow night’s final. One man who was not able to achieve that goal was Grant Hackett. The three time Olympian finished 11th in a time of 1:49.09, well off his prelim time of 1:48.33.

This was Hackett’s final opportunity to qualify for his fourth Olympic Games at the age of 35. It was in December of 2014 that the two-time Olympic champion decided to return to competition with the goal of qualifying for the 2015 World Championships in Kazan. Hackett accomplished that goal, finishing fourth in the 200 freestyle at the Australian National Championships. Once experiencing that success he once again he decided to continue to compete this time with the goal of earning a spot on the Australian Olympic team. Unfortunately with today’s result it is a goal that will not be accomplished.

  1. Thomas Fraser-Holmes – 1:46.71
  2. Cameron McEvoy – 1:46.83
  3. Daniel Smith – 1:47.30
  4. Mack Horton – 1:47.37
  5. David McKeon – 1:47.49
  6. Jordan Merrilees – 1:47.76
  7. Kurt Herzog – 1:47.90
  8. Jacob Hansford – 1:48.23

Women’s 100 Breaststroke – Semi-Final

  • Olympic Qualifying Standard – 1:07.11
  • Australian Record – Leisel Jones – 1:05.09

Georgia Bohl put up the fastest time in the women’s 100 breaststroke semi-final hitting the wall in a time of 1:06.44, bettering her previous lifetime best of 1:06.65, which she posted at the New South Wales State Championships just over a month ago. Bohl’s time now places her seventh in the world rankings.

2015-2016 LCM Women 100 BREAST

LillyUSA
KING
08/08
1.04.93*OR
2Yulia
EFIMOVA
RUS1.05.5008/08
3Katie
MEILI
USA1.05.6908/08
4Ruta
MEILUTYTE
LTU1.05.8203/11
5Alia
ATKINSON
JAM1.05.9311/06
6Georgia
BOHL
AUS1.06.1204/09
7Molly
HANNIS
USA1.06.1603/04
View Top 26»

Jessica Hansen, who came into the competition with a lifetime best of 1:07.48, finished second in a time of 1:06.94, which puts her 17th in the world rankings. Taylor McKeown, who swam this event at the World Championships in Kazan, finished third in a time of 1:07.35.

Jennie Johansson of Sweden who was the top qualifier after the prelims where she posted a 1:06.63 because she is an international swimmer she was not allowed to compete in the semi-final.

  1. Georgia Bohl – 1:06.44
  2. Jessica Hansen – 1:06.94
  3. Taylor McKeown – 1:07.35
  4. Leiston Pickett – 1:07.70
  5. Sally Hunter – 1:07.74
  6. Lorna Tonks – 1:08.46
  7. Tessa Wallace – 1:08.53
  8. Aisling Scott – 1:09.13

Men’s 100 Breaststroke – Final

  • Olympic Qualifying Standard – 59.75
  • Australian Record – Brenton Rickard – 58.58

Jake Packard punched his ticket to Rio winning the men’s 100 breaststroke in a time of 56.65. Packard was a tenth of a second under the Australian Olympic qualifying standard of 59.75. His time places him eighth in the world rankings.

He was not far off his lifetime best of 59.44, which he posted at the World Championships in Kazan where he finished fifth. Packard represented Australia for the first time at a major international competition at the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships where he finished sixth in the 100 breaststroke.

Packard will be the only Australian swimming the event in Rio.

Joshua Palmer finished second in a time of 1:00.51 just ahead of Matthew Wilson who hit the wall in a time of 1:00.54.

  1. Jake Packard – 59.65
  2. Joshua Palmer – 1:00.51
  3. Matthew Wilson – 1:00.54
  4. Nicholas Schafer – 1:00.86
  5. Matthew Treloar – 1:01.19
  6. Buster Sykes – 1:01.28
  7. Grayson Bell – 1:01.38
  8. Tommy Sucipto – 1:02.02

Men’s 100 Backstroke – Semi-Final

  • Olympic Qualifying Standard – 53.39
  • Australian Record – Mitch Larkin – 52.11

Many athletes have been holding back in the semi-final being satisfied with putting themselves in the top eight, but not world champion Mitch Larkin. Larkin came out in the 100 backstroke and posted a time of 52.84 breaking the Australia all-comers record of 52.98 set by American Aaron Peirsol in 2007.

Although it was a nice feat to break the all-comers mark Larkin will be chasing Peirsol’s two most significant record, the world records in the 100 and 200 backstroke, in the upcoming days.

Joshua Beaver was the second fastest qualifier hitting the wall in a time of 53.75 followed by Zach Incerti who finished in a time of 54.19.

  1. Mitch Larkin – 52.84
  2. Joshua Beaver – 53.75
  3. Zach Incerti – 54.19
  4. Ashley Delaney – 54.21
  5. Bobby Hurley – 54.33
  6. Benjamin Treffers – 54.39
  7. Robert Gerlach – 55.40
  8. Ben Edmonds – 55.85
  9. James Traiforos – 55.85

Women’s 100 Backstroke – Semi-Final

  • Olympic Qualifying Standard – 59.71
  • Australian Record – Emily Seebohm – 58.23

Emily Seebohm was the top qualifier in tonight’s semi-final posting a time of 58.96. Seebohm’s time is 12 one-hundredths of a second off her season’s best of 58.84 and is 73 one-hundredths of a second away from her lifetime best and Australian record of 58.23. World Championship silver medalist Madi Wilson had the second fastest time in tonight’s semi-finals recording a 59.19, one tenth of a second off her season’s best of 59.09.

Two young stars were just off record times. Minna Atherton hit the wall in a time of 59.46 nine one-hundredths of a second away from her junior world record of 59.37. 14 year old Kaylee McKeown qualified in the sixth position in a time of 1:00.80 29 one-hundredths of a second slower than the age group record of 1:00.51 held by Seebohm.

  1. Emily Seebohm – 58.96
  2. Madi Wilson – 59.19
  3. Minna Atherton – 59.46
  4. Belinda Hocking – 1:00.19
  5. Sian Whittaker – 1:00.69
  6. Kaylee McKeown – 1:00.80
  7. Holly Barratt – 1:00.88
  8. Amy Forrester – 1:01.34

Women’s 400 Freestyle – Final

  • Olympic Qualifying Standard – 4:07.58
  • Australian Record – Jessica Ashwood – 4:03.34

World championship bronze medalist Jessica Ashwood won the women’s 400 freestyle with relative ease finishing in a time of 4:03.71, two and a half seconds ahead of the field. Ashwood’s time was 37 one-hundredths of a second off of her Australian record and places her second in the world rankings.

2015-2016 LCM Women 400 Free

KatieUSA
LEDECKY
08/07
3.56.46*WR*OR
2Leah
SMITH
USA4.00.6506/27
3Jazmin
CARLIN
GBR4.01.2308/07
4Boglarka
KAPAS
HUN4.02.3708/07
5Coralie
BALMY
FRA4.03.4008/07
View Top 26»

Ashwood was also well under the Olympic qualifying standard of 4:07.58.

Tamsin Cook was also under the Olympic qualifying standard finishing second in a time of 4:06.38. Cook was 21 one-hundredths of a second away from her lifetime best of 4:06.17.

In the prelims Bronte Barratt achieved the Olympic qualifying standard putting up the competition’s fastest time of 4:07.37, but chose not to compete in the final.

 Kiah Melverton finished third in a time of 4:10.20.

  1. Jessica Ashwood – 4:03.71
  2. Tamsin Cook – 4:06.38
  3. Kiah Melverton – 4:10.20
  4. Leah Neale – 4:10.63
  5. Kareena Lee – 4:13.02
  6. Remi Fairweather – 4:14.85
  7. Ariarne Titmus – 4:16.64
  8. Jordan White – 4:20.06

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northern sue
8 years ago

A very nice time by Jessica Ashwood. Just curious–does anyone know what’s up with Sharon van Rouwendal? She doesn’t see to have a 400 free time posted this year. I think maybe the Dutch trials are this week?

Art
8 years ago

When showing the world ranking for the women 400F, should Ledecky be listed as 1st and 2nd (2nd being her 800 split in Austin)? maybe even 3rd too (her 2nd 400 in Austin)? She’s a machine.

Admin
Reply to  Art
8 years ago

Art – our World Rankings reflect only the best swim by each athlete.

commonwombat
8 years ago

Furry Curmudgeon’s read

McKeonE: had looked the class throughout and the interest lay with what time she would swim given sub57 looks to be the significant threshold this year with regards to what will be needed to progress in Rio. 56.89 ticked that box.

Groves: although she was 2nd last year, she was perhaps a surprise 2nd qualifier given she has not broken 58 in either heat or semi. 57.08 is a significant PB and a creditable swim but producing fast swims at Nationals has not been her issue but rather replicating this performance internationally. This is her 3rd year on the senior team and she’s got a plane ticket to Rio; time to deliver MsGroves

Coutts: a 0.27 drop… Read more »

Crawler
Reply to  commonwombat
8 years ago

Is Horton trying to qualify for the 200 individual in addition to the 400 and 1500 or is he shooting for a relay slot?

commonwombat
Reply to  Crawler
8 years ago

Relay seems the more realistic given he’s not exactly threatening McEvoy or TFH; even if they aren’t exactly making their international opponents tremble with their performances.

Aussie Oy
Reply to  commonwombat
8 years ago

They have been under-performing for god knows how many years, but I feel this year is the year where the Aussie men 4×200 finally swim up to their potential and shine.

commonwombat
Reply to  Aussie Oy
8 years ago

There just isn’t the quality …… period ! McEvoy may break 1.46 but TFH isn’t anywhere near his 2014 level. They’re battling to find anyone else to break 1.47.

TBH, their bronze in Kazan was soft. They’d have to take a quantum leap forward …. and a number of other teams swim very badly to be on the podium in Rio. Outside medal bet at best

swimmer123A
Reply to  Aussie Oy
8 years ago

Commonwomabat,
if I am not mistaken Horton has already gone 1:45 in a relay.
Check his anchor split at the Dubai World Junior championship.
I’m pretty sure that he went 1:45. If he can recreate that effort Australia
looking good.

carlo
8 years ago

If Jessica Hansen is on Georgia bohl,s neck then we can see a 1:05 high from bohl and where on earth did Hansen come from

Aussie Oy
Reply to  carlo
8 years ago

Jessica Hansen swam around 10 swims of 1:07 last year, including several in Universiade and Japan Open.

Gina
8 years ago

Kyle went 48.1 anchor in the club relay. Not bad.

Aussie Oy
8 years ago

Jeff Grace,

Larkin’s time is 52.48, not 52.84, making him fastest this year.
But it doesn’t matter much, he’ll go faster anyway tomorrow.

bobo gigi
8 years ago

Carlo, US trials are late June/early July.

Michaeltran, I think that King is a beast. She’s full of confidence. Maybe I’m totally wrong but I see her as the next Soni for USA. Meili and King will push each other to very fast times at US trials. The key for each of them (like for all other US medal contenders) is to manage well their taper to peak in Rio when it counts the most.
Anyway I agree with you about freestyle. If USA was not so weak on freestyle the discussion would be over. The last top level US female sprinters are Jenny Thompson and Dara Torres. That’s infamous for US swimming that no American girl has ever… Read more »

Shibly
Reply to  bobo gigi
8 years ago

i think Ledecky will be the biggest surprise in USA’ sprint leg and she will go 52 mid by june/july…

Swimmer
8 years ago

What happened to Bronte Barratt?! Why didn’t she swim the 400 final – top seed in the morning?

commonwombat
Reply to  Swimmer
8 years ago

She stated beforehand that her selection focus was purely the 200free/4×200 relay

Swimmer
Reply to  commonwombat
8 years ago

Thanks!

About Jeff Grace

Jeff Grace

Jeff is a 500 hour registered yoga teacher who holds diplomas in Coaching (Douglas College) and High Performance Coaching (National Coaching Institute - Calgary). He has a background of over 20 years in the coaching profession, where he has used a unique and proven teaching methodology to help many achieve their …

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