Aussie Cartwright Looking Very Chalmers-Esque In Budapest

2017 FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

While Emma McKeon is more than pulling her weight on the women’s side, collecting her 3rd silver in Budapest tonight, Australia is still awaiting a breakout star on the men’s side of the house. Grant Irvine was stuck in 12th and out of the men’s 200 fly final, while Clyde Lewis added time to his 200 IM semi-final swim to wind up 15th and out of that event.

However, two Australian beacons are appearing in tomorrow night’s highly-anticipated men’s 100m freestyle race. Cameron McEvoy holds the fastest 100m freestyle time ever (47.04) in a textile suit and earned silver in the event in Kazan. As such it’s no surprise to see him comfortably making it into the final. But his partner-in-crime, 18-year-old Jack Cartwright, wasn’t even originally supposed to be here in Budapest.

Cartwright is already an established age group standout who made waves on the international level with a treble of freestyle titles at the 2016 Pan Pacific Championships. At the Australian Senior National Championships in April, Cartwright was impressive in his 100m freestyle race, where he dropped his personal best down from 48.91 to 48.81 in prelims, then down almost another .4 down to 48.43.

Finishing 3rd in the men’s 100m freestyle at the qualifying meet, Cartwright saw McEvoy and Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers get the nods for the individual event on the Worlds roster, but he earned a slot on his nation’s 4x100m freestyle relay. However, Chalmers later made the decision to take time off to address his heart health concerns and removed himself from the line-up, giving Cartwright an opportunity to shine at his first international senior meet.

And shine the teen is. Lessening the sting of not having the talented teen Chalmers here for relays or for the individual event, Cartwright has stepped up big time for the green and gold thus far. On day 1, he anchored the men’s 4x100m freestyle prelim squad in 47.51, the fastest of the entire field, to help the Aussies secure a 2nd seed.

In the final, Cartwright led-off the foursome with a time of 48.34, notching a new personal best. Unfortunately, the relay wound up getting disqualified due to a relay exchange, but the speed was there.

Flash forward to today, where Cartwright beat out the likes of Vladimir Morozov and defending bronze medalist Federico Grabich to claim a spot in the 100m free semi-finals with another 48.43 mark. Without pressure or expectorations, much like Chalmers in Rio, Cartwright did the unlikely and hacked off almost another half of a second to clock a new lifetime best of 47.97 and earn a slot in the final.

Entering tomorrow night, Cartwright is ranked 5th, with teammate and mentor McEvoy just .02 ahead in the 4th place position.

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Aussie crawl
6 years ago

Looks like the Aussies will have at least 4 guys who can swim 47s at a major meet now.

marklewis
Reply to  Aussie crawl
6 years ago

The trick is to get them to all swim the 47s in the same race. That’s the challenge.

G.I.N.A
Reply to  Aussie crawl
6 years ago

I’m gonna do a Common Wombat ” Who might that 4th one be?” Then the tirade .Ive been thinking laterally really hard trying to see what the Vikings did to CWs ancestors . If he is British South African then yeah – they raided & stole ppl for slaves & smashed monasteries. – little things like that . What about the Boers? Ive reached a dead end but maybe the Dutch are blonde & tall becoz local hanky panky . Maybe the Vikings up & left & paid no alimony ..

Its a mystery .

commonwombat
Reply to  G.I.N.A
6 years ago

FYI Gina; my South Africa side IS Afrikaner but of Huguenot background (French Protestant) rather than Dutch.

G.I.N.A
Reply to  commonwombat
6 years ago

C’est tres bizzarre to ban Protestants & then when they found the secret graves in the woods , they dug them up & threw them onto the street . I would have swum the channel away from France with my little silk embroidered bag too.

Pvdh
Reply to  Aussie crawl
6 years ago

Aussies have 5 guys who have gone 47. Roberts and Magnussen are likely never going to again. Mcevoy is stuck in 47.8-48 and evidently might be pursuing other ventures soon. Chalmers might be out of top racing shape for a while but should be back for Tokyo but thats the end of the road for him most likely. Cartwright seems the only potential long term hope. Additionally, this group of Aussies has never have gotten their sprinters on the same page to make a golden relay

Robbos
Reply to  Pvdh
6 years ago

Your wishful thinking there.

Pvdh
Reply to  Robbos
6 years ago

It’s not wishful thinking. It’s literally what’s happened. Aussies put up massive times under no pressure situations, get to the real meet and can’t deliver

Robbos
Reply to  Pvdh
6 years ago

King Kyle did!!!!

Robbos
Reply to  Pvdh
6 years ago

Roberts is a tourist, Maggie is recovering from serious injury, was beaten by a magnificent swim by Adrian, who is apart fro that swim in 2012, been caught in the 47.8-48 region. McEvoy failed badly in RIO, let’s see in the next couple years before writing off, Chalmers, hinted he may stop swimming, after 2 straight golds at Olympics, might change mind, Cartwright, new hope. They do not have the credentials of the US team, but the potential is there.

Pvdh
Reply to  Robbos
6 years ago

Whatbhas Maggie done in the last 3 years to make you think he’s ever going to be a legitimate star sprinter again? His time in the sun has come to a close. I’m not writing off McEvoy due to his performance (although he doesn’t seem to be able to deliver on the highest stage similar to magnussen). He apparently has significant academic ambition according to CommonWombat. He may not be around much longer. Chalmers will have 2 more significant meets, 2019 worlds and Tokyo and from how he’s talking that’s it.

Aussies have so many so many freestyle weapons and have been dubbed favorites several times but haven’t delivered anything outside of a surprise gold in 2011 due to… Read more »

Dylab
Reply to  Pvdh
6 years ago

I would say chalmers delivered in rio

commonwombat
Reply to  Pvdh
6 years ago

Gentlemen … please !!! LOL
I’ve had my name bandied about so I think I’d better at least clarify. With regards to potential “outs” after CommGames; i know NOTHING for certain but there have been some hint or inklings from some

– Seebohm has openly stated a couple of times in the media that she is NOT committed through to Tokyo
– C1 has SAID that she is committed to Tokyo …. but lets just wait and see
– McEvoy could go either of two ways. He IS nearing graduation and that may involve some decision as regards both swimming and or further study (which he will most likely need to pursue if he is to go… Read more »

straightblackline
Reply to  commonwombat
6 years ago

Get a grip, man. Magnussen and TFH who are in their mid 20’s aren’t too old. Do you take a good look at the results sheets which show the swimmer’s year of birth? Adrian is 29! Brazilian swimmers of about the same age are pulling out PB’s. Popova who is of the same vintage is doing NR’s for Russia. I could go on and on with examples of swimmers who according to your criteria are past it but who keep delivering.

Robbos
Reply to  Pvdh
6 years ago

Maggie won the 2011 & 2013 World championship, he was beaten by 0.01 second in 2012 Olympics a miracle swim by Adrian, who hasn’t gone close to that time since. McEvoy was 4th in 2013 as a youngster, 2nd in 2015 beaten by a suspect swimmer, who has disappeared since, he bombed in RIO no doubt.
King Kyle won in RIO.
Not sure what Commonwobat knows or not knows, but from what I see he is just a fan & providing his toughts, these are not known facts.

G.I.N.A
Reply to  Pvdh
6 years ago

Oh well. At least we get to see heats of the world champs on free mainstream TV . I just sit back at 5 pm with a glass of bubbly & watch .

I don’t really care who wins because all of my most disliked countries are hopeless in the water .The day I see KSA winning is when I am joining Exit .

G.I.N.A
6 years ago

Another country boy goes to the top in Aust sprinting . Magnussen , Abood , Chalmers & now Cartwright . Hint Aust swimming – this is where you look & you offer them city cost of living upgrades & senior schooling scholarships . They are strong out there hauling multiple fauna & flora around .

Jack has rather outstanding hair . A bit more success here & he should land a type of natural hair gel product .

I was at a coaching thing with his Gladstone coach once & she changed my straight arm free 2 beat mess aka freestyle to a respectably bent arm 4 beat kick . I slip into the former on distance but I… Read more »

marklewis
Reply to  G.I.N.A
6 years ago

From the Bush to Budapest – Jack Cartwright’s journey to the top of sprint swimming.

Australia has a great relay if they can get their best sprinters healthy and all in the same place. AUS seems to have problems with their swimmers having various physical and mental breakdowns.

G.I.N.A
Reply to  marklewis
6 years ago

I’d prefer they undergo treatment/ rehab forthese things contempoarily & not let them fester into depression & resentment . Theyve got a 2 year break bar the Eisteddford in March 18 .The Scots Welsh & English love Eisteddfords & are always busy with their little folk dances . I think they’ve got the villlage feel going on . So yeah 2 years to get those should e s sorted out .

JO.
Reply to  G.I.N.A
6 years ago

Caroline is a lovely lady, but she was the farthest thing from a good coach.

Cartwright wasnt this swimmer when he left Gladstone, and lets not even get into her completely wasting Alex Williams (in my opinion the most talented male Australian Age group swimmer this side of Thorpe).

Country Gal
Reply to  G.I.N.A
6 years ago

Yes Swimming Aust please listen elite country swimmers need Help to keep swimming. As a country parent trying to keep my Nat Age Champion in the water with no SA assistance it’s financially becoming nearly impossible. These youth age group swimmers can’t swim, go to Uni & work but need to move out of their country homes to train in HP clubs …. Swimming is bankrupting us

E Gamble
6 years ago

He has progressed really well since I last saw him at Junior Pans. He’s gonna blow up very soon. ?

JUST SAYIN
6 years ago

Dressel is looking like short course Dressel but in the big pool. His smile after the semi final fav me chills he’s got something big in store for us and he knows it. I enjoy Cartwright his start needs work but his stroke is really pretty.

Matterson
6 years ago

Love seeing a young face make some waves at a big international competition!

mbl
6 years ago

My thoughts exactly

mbl
Reply to  mbl
6 years ago

I actually predicted this would happen

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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