2021 Australian Olympic Trials: Day 3 Prelims Live Recap

SWIMMING AUSTRALIA OLYMPIC TRIALS

WOMEN’S  200m IM – PRELIMS

  •  World: 2:06.12 3/08/2015 Katinka Hosszu, HUN
  • Commonwealth: 2:06.88 9/08/2016 Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, GBR
  • Australian: 2:07.03 27/07/2009 Stephanie Rice, SPW
  • All Comer: 2:08.23 15/12/2020 Kaylee McKeown, USC Spartans
  • OQT: 2:10.49

TOP 8:

The women’s 200m IM field kept their cards relatively close to their vest during this morning’s prelims, but the expected top seed Kaylee McKeown indeed landed lane 4 when all was said and done. Casually coasting to the wall after shutting it down at the 175m mark, McKeown stopped the clock at 2:13.19 to hold a second advantage over Hunter’s Meg Bailey.

A pair of teenagers snagged the 3rd and 4th seeds in 17-year-old Jenna Forrester and 19-year-old Gabriella Peiniger. The former touched in 2:14.40 to the latter’s 2:15.44 with all chasing the Olympic qualifying time of 2:10.49.

McKeown owns the fastest time in the world this season with her 2:08.23 from last December. No other Australian is ranked within the top 25 this season.

MEN’S 150m IM MC  – PRELIMS

With just 2 swimmers in the field, it was Ahmed Kelly who clocked the quickest time in 3:02.78 while Grant Patterson got to the wall in 3:04.41. Kelly’s swim garnered 673 points to Patterson’s 655 with tonight’s final bringing the men back for another duel.

WOMEN’S 200m IM MC  – PRELIMS

TOP 8:

MEN’S 200m IM MC  – PRELIMS

TOP 8:

MEN’S 200m FLY  – PRELIMS

  • World: 1:50.73 24/07/2019 Kristof Milak, HUN
  • Commonwealth: 1:52.96 31/07/2012 Chad le Clos, RSA
  • All Comer: 1:52.09 28/03/2007 Michael Phelps, USA
  • OQT: 1:56.25

TOP 8:

21-year-old Matthew Temple dropped out of the men’s 200m free final last night and it appears he channeled the saved energy into this morning’s 200m fly swim. Touching in a time of 1:56.79, Temple leads the field by nearly 2 seconds en route to producing the 4th fastest outing of his career.

Temple’s lifetime best rests at the 1:56.52 he logged at the 2019 FINA World Championships where he placed 9th, just out of the final.

Rio Olympian David Morgan has thrown his hat into the ring for another Games bid, posting 1:58.87 as the 3rd seed. But, Nunawading’s Bowen Gough will put up a fight, holding the 2nd seed in 1:58.62.

WOMEN’S 200m FREE  – PRELIMS

  • World: 1:52.98 29/07/2009 Federica Pellegrini, ITA
  • Commonwealth: 1:54.27 19/07/2019 Ariarne Titmus, AUS
  • Australian: 1:54.27 25/07/2019 Ariarna Titmus, SPW
  • All Comer: 1:54.30 9/04/2019 Ariarne Titmus, SPW
  • OQT: 1:56.82

TOP 8:

The Aussie women own the World Record in the 800m free relay so it was no surprise to see two women already break the 1:56 barrier after the individual 200m freestyle heats.

Leading the way was Ariarne Titmus, the reigning 400m freestyle world champion who already nearly took down American icon Katie Ledecky’s World Record in that event during last night’s finals. Here in this shorter race, Titmus logged the top time of 1:55.72, holding a .06 advantage over Marion’s Madi Wilson.

20-year-old Titmus owns a lifetime best of 1:54.27 in this event from the 2019 FINA World Championships. But for Wilson, this morning marks the first time the backstroker-turned-major-freestyler has gotten under the 1:56 threshold. Her time of 1:55.86 in the heats knocked almost half a second off of her previous career-quickest of 1:56.26 logged just hit past April.

Mainstay Emma McKeon is right in the mix as the 3rd seed in 1:56.52 to follow up her Aussie record-breaking 100m fly top finish from earlier in the meet. McKeon took bronze in this 200m free event in Rio.

17-year-old Mollie O’Callaghan is making some waves, holding her own with a super quick 1:56.55. Although she most likely won’t catch McKeon or Titmus for individual slots, O’Callaghan looks good to add her name to a potential relay spot.

Don’t sleep on Brianna Throssell, as the West Aussie is lurking as the 6th seed. She was a member of the World Record-setting relay and owns a lifetime best of 1:56.62 in this event.

MEN’S 50m BACK MC  – PRELIMS

Grant Patterson was the only entrant in the men’s 50m MC backstroke and swam to a 57.85 which brought in 388 points. The swim was a bit quicker than the 58.87 that he swam when he raced the event at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Patterson hit a 1:01.66 in the 50 breast on day 2 of the meet which raked in 554 points and a second-place finish.

 1:01.66

MEN’S 800m FREE  – PRELIMS

  • World: 7:32.12 29/07/2009 Lin Zhang, CHN
  • Commonwealth: 7:38.65 27/07/2005 Grant Hackett, AUS
  • Australian: 7:38.65 27/07/2005 Grant Hackett, Miami
  • All Comer: 7:41.59 26/03/2001 Ian Thorpe, SLC Aquadot
  • OQT: 7:48.12

Jacob Loughnan posted the quickest time in the men’s 800 freestyle during the heats with a 8:06.43 to take more than 10 seconds off his seed time in the event of 8:18.76.

Behind Loughnan, Kyle Lee and Alec Mander also managed to dip under 8:10 with an 8:08.64 and 8:09.31, respectively. That was a solid improvement upon both of their entry times and Lee was entered with an 8:08.64 and Mander an 8:09.31.

Silas Harris, Zac George, and Matthew Galea are currently in 4th – 6th place in the event with their swims of 8:09.98, 8:10.47, and 8:11.42.

With the top-ranked swimmers slated to race during the finals session later in the day, it is unlikely that anyone from the morning session will qualify for Tokyo. Top seed Jack McLoughlin holds an entry time of 7:42.64 which is within 4 seconds of Grant Hackett‘s seemingly invincible Australian record of 7:38.65 from 2005.

Also among the top-seeded men in the event are Thomas Neill (7:48.65), Elijah Winnington (7:51.44), and Samuel Short (7:52.18).

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Kate
3 years ago

I was watching live and the stream seemed to end before the fastest heat of the 800 free, although it’s listed on meet mobile as being this morning. Was that a mistake and they’re swimming it tonight? McLoughlin, Horton etc haven’t swum yet

Oceanian
Reply to  Kate
3 years ago

Th 800 and 1500 frees are ‘timed finals’ and fastest-seeded heat is always swum at night.

Last edited 3 years ago by Oceanian
CheersBigEars
Reply to  Kate
3 years ago

Swum tonight – They will swim the lesser heats (if there are any this morning with no coverage). Usually happens or Aus Meets.

Skip
Reply to  Kate
3 years ago

Fastest heat of 800m swims tonight in finals sessions

Laps
3 years ago

Quick heat times in the 200 free, might need a sub 1.56 to make top 4 tonight. Interesting to see if Harris and O’Callaghan can get near the sub 1.56 range or if they are about the same times tonight.

Titmus 1.55.72
Wilson 1.55.86
McKeon 1.56.52
O’Callaghan 1.56.55
Harris 1.56.63
Throssel 1.56.76
Neale 1.57.59
Melverton 1.58.05

Pallister 1.58.99 and Cook 1.58.94 miss the finals

Last edited 3 years ago by Laps
Miss M
Reply to  Laps
3 years ago

Hard not to think the top 6 will finish in the top 6. Would be great if Throssel, Harris and O’Callaghan can get under 1:56:50.

commonwombat
Reply to  Miss M
3 years ago

Tend to agree. Whilst most attention will be, justifiably, be centred on the expected Titmus/McKeon show; it will also be very curious to see how the top 6 plays out time wise and whether the 2 youngest (O’Callaghan & Harris) have anything further to give after their major PBs in the heats. Given there is likely to be less post Tokyo turnover of key members, its highly plausible that this relay may take over from the 4×100 as the flagship relay on the AUS women’s side.

Corn Pop
Reply to  commonwombat
3 years ago

When QE 2 conks out, we gonna be a Repub. Dean is the kind of guy we need to represent us on the world stage. Deano for President !

Last edited 3 years ago by Corn Pop
Troyy
3 years ago

As a side note Kaylee is still #1 for the season in the 400 IM after US trials.

FraserThorpe
Reply to  Troyy
3 years ago

Is there any chance she can swim it?

Oceanian
Reply to  FraserThorpe
3 years ago

I guess she could be entered. It doesn’t clash directly with any of her other events. Since she’s made the team, she can potentially be named in other events where there are empty spots if she requested it.

Last edited 3 years ago by Oceanian
Torchbearer
Reply to  Oceanian
3 years ago

It must be sooo tempting! What a hard decision…

Jamie5678
Reply to  Oceanian
3 years ago

Nobody seems to want to win the 400IM. It’s wide open.

Stephen
3 years ago

Titmus once again, looked like she wouldn’t blow a candle out.

Troyy
Reply to  Stephen
3 years ago

McKeon looked very leisurely too.

Jamie5678
Reply to  Troyy
3 years ago

It’s set up very nicely with McKeown’s easy speed hopefully giving a tow for Titmus’s endurance.

Troyy
3 years ago

Seems like Harris is a big taper swimmer. Excited to see what her and O’Callaghan will do in the 100.

Robbos
Reply to  Troyy
3 years ago

Can’t wait to see their 100 free.
Based on the 200 Free, they both look to be a strong chance to be in the top 6.

Drama King
Reply to  Robbos
3 years ago

If she’s not healthy enough, Bronte might be in trouble.

Troyy
Reply to  Drama King
3 years ago

I have faith in Bronte to be about 52 high. I think the top 6 will be McKeon, C1, C2, Wilson, O’Callaghan, and Harris (sorry Throssel)

Stephen
3 years ago

Don’t like to predict times but a 1.53 mid or lower very possible

Stephen
3 years ago

The depth of Australia women’s swimming is unbelievable…….200m race maybe the race of the trials

Miss M
Reply to  Retta Race
3 years ago

Took a 1:58:05 to final

Last edited 3 years ago by Miss M
Troyy
Reply to  Retta Race
3 years ago

It looked quite comfortable too.

Miss M
Reply to  Stephen
3 years ago

Australia now have 6 swimmers with PBs faster than 1:56:63.

Titmus 1:54:27
McKeon 1:54:55
Wilson 1:55:86
O’Callaghan 1:56:55
Throssel 1:56:62
Harris: 1:56:63

Going to be an absolute bung-fight for the 4th spot in the final at the Olympics! Nothing ever guaranteed, but hard not to see the WR going down.

Torchbearer
Reply to  Miss M
3 years ago

An Australian B Team would make the Olympic final!

Majer99
Reply to  Miss M
3 years ago

SPW team by themselves could have had a team close to good enough to win Olympic gold this year if (and yes it’s a big if) 2019 Shayna Jack incident didn’t occur (Titmus, O’Callaghan, Harris and Jack)

Coach Mike 1952
Reply to  Stephen
3 years ago

first 6 under OQT no less, where have we ever seen that?

Oceanian
3 years ago

Big PB by Harris. Go the teens.

Troyy
Reply to  Oceanian
3 years ago

Harris really backed herself from the start! PBs from Wilson and O’Callaghan too.

Robbos
Reply to  Troyy
3 years ago

What did O’callaghan swim?

Robbos
Reply to  Robbos
3 years ago

Time?

Troyy
Reply to  Robbos
3 years ago

1:56.5 I think it was.

Robbos
Reply to  Troyy
3 years ago

Thanks. Thought she had more to give.

Troyy
Reply to  Robbos
3 years ago

She might do. It’s only the prelims.

About Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having 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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