2021 Australian Olympic Trials – Day 6 Prelims Live Recap

SWIMMING AUSTRALIA OLYMPIC TRIALS

WOMEN’S 200 BACK – PRELIM

  • World: 2:03.35 26/07/2019 Regan Smith, USA
  • Commonwealth: 2:04.31 14/05/2021 Kaylee McKeown, AUS
  • Australian: 2:04.31 14/05/2021 Kaylee McKeown, USC Spartans
  • All Comer: 2:04.31 4/05/2021 Kaylee McKeown, USC Spartans
  • OQT: 2:09.40

TOP 8:

In a relatively relaxed 200 backstroke prelims, Emily Seebohm topped the field in 2:10.36. She led the other top contenders to make the team, Kaylee McKeown and Minna Atheron. McKeown is fresh off breaking the World Record in the 100 back a few days ago, and swam a 2:10.52. Safe to say, she’s got something faster up her sleeve for the final.She also holds the Australian Record in this event at 2:04.31, which she swam just a month ago.

Atherton entered the meet with a 2:06.82, and touched 3rd this morning in 2:11.02.

 

MEN’S 100 FLY – PRELIM

  • World: 49.50 26/07/2019 Caeleb Dressel, USA
  • Commonwealth: 50.39 12/08/2016 Joseph Schooling, SGP
  • Australian: 50.85 1/08/2009 Andrew Lauterstein, SOPAC
  • All Comer: 50.65 9/04/2018 Chad le Clos, RSA
  • OQT: 51.70

TOP 8:

Matthew Temple, the 21-year-old fly star, used a field-leading 27.37 on the 2nd 50 to touch first this morning. Temple posted a 51.79, marking the only sub-52 of the heats. He has a best of 51.47, which sits just over half a second off the Australian Record of 50.85. That record, it should be noted, it a “super suited” record.

Fellow 21-year-old Shaun Champion chipped 0.02 seconds off his personal best to take 2nd this morning, swimming a 52.15. Champion led the field of finals qualifiers on the first 50, splitting 24.26.

Cody Simpson swam well under his entry time of 53.63, taking the 6th seed for finals in 52.84.

Update:

Following a swim-off Edward Marks grabbed the 8th spot for tonight, swimming a 52.84.

WOMEN’S 800 FREE – SLOWER HEATS

  • World: 8:04.79 18/08/2016 Katie Ledecky, USA
  • Commonwealth: 8:14.10 16/08/2008 Rebecca Adlington, GBR
  • Australian: 8:15.70 27/07/2019 Ariarne Titmus, SPW
  • All Comer: 8:11.35 23/08/2014 Katie Ledecky, USA
  • OQT: 8:29.70

TOP 3:

Leading the way on the slower heats was 21-year-old Mikayla Messer, who dropped nearly 6 full seconds from her entry time. Messer clocked an 8:37.37, swimming a consistent race. She flipped at 4:17.61 at the 400m mark, then swam a 4:19.77 on the 2nd 400. The fastest heat will be swum tonight, where Ariarne Titmus will be chasing another title to add to her haul this week.

WOMEN’S 50 FREE – PRELIM

  • World: 23.67 29/07/2017 Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
  • Commonwealth: 23.78 7/04/2018 Cate Campbell, AUS
  • Australian: 23.78 7/04/2018 Cate Campbell, Chandler
  • All Comer: 23.78 7/04/2018 Cate Campbell, Chandler
  • OQT: 24.46

TOP 8:

It was Cate Campbell‘s turn to let it fly in a preliminary swim, as the 29-year-old superstar ripped a 24.04 to lead the heats by .42 seconds. The swim was only 0.02 seconds off Campbell’s season best, and sets her up for a potentially sub-24 swim tonight. Campbell is the Australian Record-holder with her lifetime best of 23.78, which she swam in 2018.

After her electric performances in the 100 free on Wednesday, Emma McKeon got the job done this morning, posting the 2nd-fastest time in the field. McKeon’s 24.46 was well off her best of 24.17, but given her 100 freestyles yesterday, we know she’s got it in her to put up a quicker time tonight.

Holly Barratt, 33, chipped .11 seconds off her entry time, swimming a 24.51 to for 3rd this morning. The veteran will be chasing another Olympic berth in tonight’s final.

Meg Harris, just 19 year old, continues to show improvement. Harris dropped a quarter of a second in this morning’s swim, taking 4th in 24.64. Harris had a breakthrough 52-second 100 free at last night’s final. Madison Wilson, 27, is another swimmer who clocked a 52-second 100 free last night. Wilson was 5th this morning in 24.66, matching her entry time.

 

MEN’S 50 FREE – PRELIM

  • World: 20.91 18/12/2009 Cesar Cielo, BRA
  • Commonwealth: 21.19 26/11/2009 Ashley Callus, AUS
  • Australian: 21.19 26/11/2009 Ashley Callus, North End
  • All Comer: 21.19 26/11/2009 Ashley Callus, North End
  • OQT: 21.77

TOP 8:

Veteran Matthew Targett made it into the final tonight by a comfortable margin, taking 6th with a 22.37. That marks a season best for the 35-year-old by .11 seconds.

Top seed Cameron McEvoy was looking relaxed this morning, posting a 22.08 for a 1st-place tie with Grayson Bell. McEvoy’s time was just 0.20 seconds off his season best of 21.88, while Bell took 0.22 seconds off his season best.

Of note, there are no teenagers who made the final tonight in this event.

 

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Tomman
2 years ago

What happened to William Yang for 50 free? strong seed time

The unoriginal Tim
2 years ago

I think GB did this as well but having 1500 and 800 HDW at this level is odd to me. They have to swim it twice at Tokyo.

Troyy
2 years ago

So Pallister withdrew from the 800

Swimmer1234
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

Anyons know why?
Would have liked to see her at least have a crack

Troyy
Reply to  Swimmer1234
2 years ago

I guess she knows she’s not in shape to qualify so is heading home.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQNA-nlHFIe/

Oceanian
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

That’s some horrible news to start the night off 🙁

Robbos
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

Ummmm, she not had the best meet. Maybe she quits when things aren’t good, unless there are injuries.

Eric the eel > Phelps
2 years ago

I hope Holly barratt will make the team tonight !

Nono
Reply to  Eric the eel > Phelps
2 years ago

Yes please!

Calara
2 years ago

Zavadova can’t swim in the A final as she’s a Visitor!

commonwombat
2 years ago

Will be interesting to see if C1 can back up, or better, her 24.04 tonight. Very pleasing to see almost all the finalists sub 25 but ,barring McKeon running out of gas at the end of the program, the 2 qualifiers look clear cut.

Temple looks fairly secure bet in M100Fly but I’m not overly confident of a 2nd qualifier. Not saying the likes of Champion, Morgan & Gough cannot but they’re going to lift significantly to get to 51.7 or better.

QT in W200back is zero issue therefore key interest with be (a) will we see “showtime” from McKeon or just ‘taking care of business’;(b) will we see a return to somewhere near her peak times from Seebohm. Only… Read more »

Joel
Reply to  commonwombat
2 years ago

The 400 IM for men surprised you the other night cw. Maybe the 100 fly will too

commonwombat
Reply to  Joel
2 years ago

Would be very happy to see it; just not a proposition I’d care to bet on. Were they closer to the mark, ie sub52, then I might view it differently.

Oceanian
Reply to  commonwombat
2 years ago

– I’m hoping Champion (or anyone youngish), rather than Morgan, gets 2nd (hopefully in OQ)
– A 2-05 win is fine. Leave any backstroke showtimes for Tokyo.
– Bring on the W800 tonight! Hopefully two under 8-20 behind Titmus.

commonwombat
Reply to  Oceanian
2 years ago
  • Lean that way re M100fly; just not fully “sold” on that happening.
  • We are getting a little blase when we’re talking 2.05 as being “business as usual” LOL
  • Will be interesting to see what Titmus produces as I view her more as 200/400 optimised going up to the 800. 2nd spot could be tasty; your sub 8.20 certainly isn’t out of the question
MissM
Reply to  commonwombat
2 years ago

I’m hoping Holly Barratt can get top 2 … would love to see her off to her first Olympics. Unlikely but it’s good to dream!

Stephen
2 years ago

Thing are heading nicely towards….50 100 200 400 plus 4×1 and 2 relays for the ladies

Kris
Reply to  Stephen
2 years ago

I heard it mentioned this morning that there will be no crowds at the swimming in Tokyo. I wonder if that will help nervy swimmers like Cate Campbell and others.

JimSwim22
Reply to  Stephen
2 years ago

I’m not sure there is any time they can go in the 50 & 100 that will make them huge favorites. Too much history to over come. World record holders losing. Hope they can nail it down but hard to wager on it.

thezwimmer
2 years ago

Is william stockwell the son of Mark and Tracy?

Oceanian
Reply to  thezwimmer
2 years ago

Yep

About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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