Australia will be taking a team of 20 athletes to the World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea from July 3 to 14.
The team will include five athletes who have represented the nation at major international competitions; Jordan Harrison, Ami Matsuo, Ned McKendry, Travis Mahoney and Sacha Downing.
Harrison and McKendry competed for Australia at the last World Championships in Barcelona along with last year’s Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships. In Barcelona s a 17 year old Harrison finished in the top eight in the 400, 800 and 1500 freestyle. Last summer he finished fourth in the 1500 freestyle at the Commonwealth Games as well as fourth in the 800 and 1500 freestyle at the Pan Pacific Championships.
McKendry enjoyed success last summer winning a gold at the Commonwealth Games as part of the men’s 4 x 200 freestyle relay.
Both men hope to make up for a disappointing Australian Championships in Korea.
At the championships Harrison finished fourth in the 400 freestyle and second in the 1500 freestyle, but more than 15 seconds away from his lifetime best. McKendry finished seventh in the 200 freestyle.
19 year old Matsuo will once again represent Australia on the international stage after winning a silver medal as part of the women’s 4 x 200 freestyle team at the 2013 World Championships.
Mahoney enjoyed success last summer finishing sixth at the Commonwealth Games and seventh at the Pan Pacific Championships in the 400 IM.
Downing will be the only open water representative on the team.
“We have some really strong swimmers in our team this year and I am looking forward to seeing them step up and raise the bar when we compete in July,” said Tracy Menzies, the Head Coach of the World University Games team.
“A number of our swimmers came very close to world championship selection so now it is about lining up in South Korea and improving once again from the Australian championships, setting a season’s best time and gaining confidence through race practice.”
“All of these athletes juggle study and swimming, which can be tough, so it is great to see them get the opportunity to represent Australia at an international level and prove their potential on the world stage.”
At the last World University Games in Kazan Australia finished fourth with four gold, two silver and four bronze.
The full team includes:
| Male Athletes | |||||
| Nicholas | Brown | 19 | Western Sprint | WA | University of Western Australia |
| Jared | Gilliland | 20 | Brothers | QLD | Queensland University of Technology |
| Jacob | Hansford | 20 | SOPAC | NSW | Australian College of Physical Education |
| Jordan | Harrison | 19 | Miami | QLD | Bond University |
| Justin | James | 22 | Mackay | QLD | Australian National University |
| Travis | Mahoney | 25 | Nunawading | VIC | Deakin University |
| Ned | McKendry | 23 | Chandler | QLD | Griffith University – Nathan |
| Jack | McLoughlin | 20 | Brothers | QLD | Queensland University of Technology |
| Kieran | Qaium | 22 | Sydney University | NSW | Australian Catholic University |
| Nicholas | Schafer | 23 | River City Rapids | QLD | University of Wisconsin |
| Matthew | Treloar | 21 | Trinity Grammar | NSW | University of New South Wales |
| Female Athletes | |||||
| Hayley | Abood | 26 | Sydney University | NSW | Sydney University |
| Sacha | Downing | 18 | Perth City | WA | Curtin University |
| Ellen | Fullerton | 22 | Brothers | QLD | Queensland University of Technology |
| Tianni | Gilmour | 19 | Pelican Waters Caloundra | QLD | Queensland University of Technology |
| Jessica | Hansen | 20 | Nunawading | VIC | Deakin University |
| Ami | Matsuo | 19 | Carlile | NSW | TAFE NSW |
| Kiah | Melverton | 18 | TSS Aquatics | QLD | Griffith University – Gold Coast |
| Aisling | Scott | 22 | Indooroopilly | QLD | University of Queensland |
| Jordan | White | 22 | SLC Aquadot | NSW | University of New South Wales |
