Three more Olympic qualifications were handed out on the final day in Adelaide, in what wrapped up a hugely-successful meet for the Australians. After the times that have been put up here, it’s safe to say that the Aussies are back after swooning for a few years.
Women’s 50 Free – Finals
The final Olympic spots for the women’s team in this meet went to a pair of sister: Cate and Bronte Campbell took the top two spots in the 50 free, just like they did in each of the earlier rounds, to wrap up a family trip to London.
Cate Campbell touched for the win in 24.44, which is the 4th-ranked time in the world this year. She already had a roster spot in the 100 free from earlier in the meet by route of her second-place finish. For younger sister Bronte, only 17, a runner-up touch in 24.61 was her first (and only) spot for the Olympic squad.
For those curious, the last time that siblings qualified for the Australian Olympic Swim Team was in 1972 for the Munich games, and it happened not only once but twice. Karen and Norelle Moras occupied two of the three spots in the 400 and 800 freestyles in 1972 (alongside the legendary Shane Gould); and brothers Greg and Neil Rogers the same year, who bookended the Australians’ 400 free relay (among other events).
The sisters denied 16-year old Yolane Kukla a shot at an individual swim, as she finished 3rd in 24.76. She had an amazing start, as she’s known to do, having left the block a tenth of a second faster than the competition, but she couldn’t hold that once in the water. She will still be on the flight to the UK, though, as she earned a spot on the 400 free relay. Libby Trickett is in an identical position, with just a relay spot, after touching 4th in 24.77. That moves her too into the world’s top 10.
Alice Tait (formerly Mills) was 5th in 24.85, and Alicia Coutts was 7th in 25.27.
Men’s 1500 Free – Finals
This men’s 1500 not only had an upset; the finishes went all the way to 4th-place before finding a familiar name on this results list. The win went to 17-year old Jarrod Poort in 15:13.38. He was the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games champion in the event, and by combination of the 15:09 from that meet as well as this event victory, and he will be the Australian representative in this event for the Olympics.
Behind him was 15-year old Mack Horton in 15:14.73. These two make up what is viewed to be the future of an Australian distance group that has struggled after being legendarily-good for at least two decades.
In 5th was Wally Eggleton in 15:24.24, and the favorite Bobby Hurley was 6th in 15:3049. Hurley was out of contention in this race very early, and ended up swimming about 20 seconds slower than he’s capable of.
Women’s 50 Breast – Finals (non-Olympic)
Leiston Pickett, a sprint-breaststroke specialist who already has the 100 breast title from earlier in this meet, added a win in the 50 in 30.68. That is the best time in the world (by far), on top of her number-one World Ranking in the 100 breaststroke.
Behind her was National Record holder Sarah Katsoulis in 31.28. Leisel Jones didn’t take a run at this event.
Men’s 50 Back – Finals (non-Olympic)
Benjamin Treffers was a hair slower in this final than he was in the semi’s, but was still good enough for the win in 25.19. Daniel Armanmart was 2nd in 25.41.
