Australia’s Flynn Southam Completes Sweep of Boys Sprint FR Events at Jr Pan Pacs

2022 JUNIOR PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

BOYS 50 METER FREESTYLE – FINAL

  • Jr World: 21.75 – Michael Andrew, USA (2017)
  • Jr Pan Pac: 22.20 – Paul Powers, USA (2014)

Podium:

  1. Flynn Southam, Australia – 22.36
  2. (tie) Diggory Dillingham, USA / Kaii Winkler, USA – 22.50

Australian 17-year-old Flynn Southam won the boys 50 free tonight at the 2022 Junior Pan Pacs in Honolulu. Southam swam a 22.36, taking 0.03 seconds off his previous best time in the event. The swim had significance outside of that, however, as Southam completed his sweep of the boys sprint free events with the 50 free gold tonight.

It’s been an incredible meet for the young rising star, coming on the end of a phenomenal year. Southam kicked off his Junior Pan Pacs on Wednesday with a new Championship Record in the boys 200 free, winning in 1:47.11. He then won the boys 100 free on Thursday in a new Championship Record and lifetime best of 48.23.

In addition to the 3 individual gold medals Southam won this week, he also helped Australia to gold and a Championship Record in the boys 4×200 free relay, leading the team off in 1:47.30. Southam led the Australian boys 4×100 free relay off in 48.43 too, though the team would go on to lose their lead and come in 2nd in that event.

Southam’s performances this week come after what has been a fantastic summer for the up-and-coming freestyle star. Southam qualified to swim on Australian relays at World Championships and Commonwealth Games this summer, though he ultimately opted out of competing at the World Champs in order to focus on Commonwealths and Jr Pan Pacs.

In his first senior international meet, Southam performed admirably for Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. He led the Australian men’s 4×100 free relay off in 48.54, which was then a personal best for him. That relay would go on to win gold and break the Commonwealth Games Record in the event. Southam also split 1:46.08 off a relay start in the Australian men’s 4×200 free relay, helping that relay to gold and a Commonwealth Games Record as well.

If there was any doubt coming into this meet, Southam has now proven that he has what it takes to be a key contributor on Australian relays at the international level. Especially with his 48.23 100 free, it looks like he could be contending for an individual spot on a major Australian roster sooner rather than later as well.

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SHRKB8
1 year ago

Between Flynn and Josh, the pair were able to sweep all boys freestyle events…..both performed flawlessly this week. 👏👏👏

Sub13
Reply to  SHRKB8
1 year ago

Yeah both did so well! Aussie men are needing some upcoming talent in the free as well.

If Flynn can turn that 47.8 into a 47 low by Paris that could be a game changer.

Verram
Reply to  Sub13
1 year ago

Looks like the Aussie junior men are stronger than the junior women at this meet .. or maybe the competition is stronger on the womens side

Hope Flynn’s trajectory leads to a 47s pb in the 100 free by next season ., we badly need the depth in mens sprint freestyle

Sub13
Reply to  Verram
1 year ago

To be fair, if Mollie had gone to this instead of Worlds then Aussie women probably would have won 50-100-200 free, 100-200 back and both free relays. So I think it’s just played out that way.

flicker
Reply to  Sub13
1 year ago

not sure Mollie would win the 100/200 back because hypothetically if Mollie went then hypothetically Claire could’ve went

Troyy
Reply to  Verram
1 year ago

I’m really interested to see if Cartwright can keep progressing now he’s okay. He was already 47.9 at 18.

Last edited 1 year ago by Troyy
Verram
Reply to  Troyy
1 year ago

Yes we need a strong base for mens 4×100 free as we seem to be getting left behind by Italy and Great Britain in terms of depth in mens sprint.. so if Cartwright, Incerti, Southam and Yang can all start swimming 47s splits consistently then it will make life a bit easier for Chalmers, who seems to be carrying the relay on his back as anchor leg

Last edited 1 year ago by Verram
Sub13
Reply to  Troyy
1 year ago

If Cartwright could get a 47 mid flat start, Flynn can get down to a 47 low split and Kyle and Zac can just repeat Tokyo, that’s half a second faster than Tokyo gold.

With Dressel and Apple both question marks at the moment and Pieroni retired, Paris is still undecided.

Joel
Reply to  Verram
1 year ago

The Aussie female freestylers were good and quite young compared to the USA swimmers.