Cameron McEvoy moved to #1 in the Australian National Rankings over the weekend in a the 100 free, racing at the Queensland LC #2 Qualifying Meet at the Sleeman Swimming Centre in Brisbane.
The meet was a mid-level meet servicing all ages from 11-and-up that was headlined by a few of the country’s elite National Team-level swimmers.
Swimming first in the 200 free on Saturday afternoon, McEvoy swam a 1:47.26 – his best time of the young season so far. That, in fact, is an identical time to what McEvoy swam in the World Championship final this summer in Kazan, although that was for 8th and a full-second backslide from what he was in the earlier rounds.
In the process, McEvoy beat out potential Olympic teammates David McKeon (1:49.66) and Ned McKendry (1:53.32), who are teammates at the Chandler Swim Club.
The next morning, McEvoy came back with an even more impressive 48.41 in the 100 free. That time, he beat out James Roberts (50.41). As encouraging as that early-season swim is for McEvoy, falling in step with the broader Aussie explosion in the latter half of this year, Roberts continues to struggle to find his form of 2012 and 2013.
Roberts hasn’t been faster than 49.9 in more than two years according to the Australian results database. In that time, he’s ceded the role as James Magnussen’s partner-in-sprint to McEvoy, and the weekend’s results (a full two-second victory) reinforces that stead.
Also swimming well were the Gubecka sisters from Kawana Waters. Chloe Gubecka won the 200 fly for 13-year olds in 2:24.80, and older sister Chelsea Gubecka won the 17-18 age group in 2:17.98. The elder Gubecka also won the 400 free for 17-18’s in 4:18.10, though the fastest overall came in the 19 & over class thanks to a 4:10.18 from Jessica Ashwood.
Both Gubecka swimmers tend toward open water swimming.
Other Highlights:
- Swede Jennie Johansson, who trains in Australia, won the women’s 100 meter breaststroke in 1:08.67 to beat out Australia’s top spring breaststroker, and 9th-place finisher at Worlds, Taylor McKeown (1:09.33).
- With Christian Sprenger still not demonstrating that he’s back to full strength after a shoulder injury that’s now lingered more than a year old, Jake Packard is settling into his role as Australia’s top breaststroker. He swam a 1:01.53 on Saturday morning to win in Brisbane; he’s not historically been great at these sort of mid-level state meets, but his time on Saturday is shoring him up as the favorite heading toward next year’s trials.
Adrian and McEvoy putting out respectable same times at the same period
Agreed, but if Adrian was fully shaved, then one should have less confidence in his progression this year. It looks a little odd to have Stravius and Le Clos at the top of the world rankings for the 100m free….
Adrian seems to have shifted his focus to 50m free and will probably pick the 100 for relay purposes most.. It is somewhat natural as he gets older..
Also, in 3 weeks (If I am correct) the Brazilian Trials (1st of 2 trials) will happen.. so at least the men sprints ranking will have a big change.. (Also, this will be Cielo First competition since injury)