Three-time Olympic medalist Matt Targett hit a 22.89 50 free and 50.54 100 freestyle over the weekend at one of his first swim meets since he announced his comeback to racing in October 2020.
Targett race for Australia at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, earning a silver in the 4×100 medley and bronze in the 4×100 freestyle at the former, and a bronze in the 4×100 medley at the latter.
Targett hasn’t raced internationally for Australia since the 2013 World Championships where he swam the 50 butterfly, placing 13th and the prelims of the 4×100 freestyle relay.
While his 22.89 50 and 100 freestyle are fast enough to qualify him for the Australian Olympic Trials to be held this June, they are still a bit off his best times in the events as well as the FINA ‘A’ cuts.
| Swim on 02/20/2021 | Best Time | Trials Cut | FINA ‘A’ Cut | |
| 50 Freestyle LCM | 22.89 | 21.96 (2013) | 23.51 | 22.01 |
| 100 Freestyle LCM | 50.54 | 47.88 (2008) | 52.50 | 48.57 |
Since his comeback in the summer of 2020, Targett has been training under former coach Brett Hawke in Los Angeles. The duo worked together previously at the University of Auburn where Targett swam for three seasons between 2005 and 2009.
Targett was the quickest swimmer at the meet in the 50 freestyle but was out-swum in the 100 by Drury swimmer Karol Ostrowski who hit a 49.92 for the win. A division II swimmer, Ostrowski recently made headlines when he broke the division record in the short course yards 50 freestyle with a 19.09.
As we previously reported, Cody Simpson was also present at the meet and lowered his 100 butterfly time from a 54.90 to a 53.85. Simpson also raced the 100 freestyle along with Targett and Ostrowski, hitting a 51.88.
That 51.88 swim for Simpson gives him a second event at the upcoming Australian Olympic Trials as he was under the standard of 52.50.
Right on Targett. This will McEvoy and Roberts to be in their game come trials
In Adelaide.
Bring it on.
Impressive work for those two in a short period of time.
They’re not in LA though. The meet was in Orlando area and they are training there.
Whilst what Simpson has been achieving is creditable; he is the longest of long shots to make the team.
Targett would realistically need to be sub49 in the 100fr to be considered for the relay. That’s going to be a “major lift” as I think he’ll really need to lift at least a second from these times to make the final at Trials. The 50fr final looks a better chance but whilst AUS has no standouts in this event; the QT is still going to be a major “ask”.
Matt Targett, The Real Deal. 👊
So you got the veteran the pop star and the D2 stud what more can you ask for?
Dean
Wow
Fratus has been tagging him again in a few Instagram posts, guess they’re back together?
Did he just start training again in October or did he announce it in October? Either way pretty impressive