Titmus, McKeown, ZSC Headed To New South Wales Championships

2022 NEW SOUTH WALES STATE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

  • Friday, March 4th – Sunday, March 6th
  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre
  • LCM (50m)
  • Start Lists

Official start lists have been released for the upcoming 2022 New South Wales State Open Championships, slated for early March. Multiple Olympians and national record holders are among the attendees, giving us a glimpse into where these elite athletes are in their training at this point.

Bound for Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, these championships are positioned as an opportunity to establish baselines with the sole Swimming Australia Trials meet for the Commonwealth Games and Budapest World Championships on the horizon.

Ariarne Titmus is expected to race, with the 21-year-old St. Peters Western star entered in the 100m free, 200m free, 400m free and 800m free. She’ll be joined by teammates Jack Cartwright, Abbey Harkin, Kiah Melverton, Elijah Winnington, Mollie O’Callaghan and Shayna Jack.

Jack is still racking up the meters since having been allowed to return to competition post-suspension. The 23-year-old freestyle had competed already at the Queensland Championships last December where she put up quality swims in striking distance of her career quickest.

Olympic champion Zac Stubblety-Cook is another big draw at these NSW Championships, with the national record holder vying for a sweep of the 50m/100m/200m breaststroke.

Stubblety-Cook has already demonstrated he has no signs of slowing down since taking the 200m breast title in Tokyo last year. At the aforementioned Queensland Championships, the 23-year-old put up a mark of 2:07.00 in the same event.

Another racer with no let-up since Tokyo is Kaylee McKeown. The versatile 20-year-old is following up an already tremendous performance at the Victorian Open. McKeown logged a 200m back outing of 2:04.64, faster than what it took her to win gold in Tokyo.

Additional ones to watch here at NSWs include Thomas Hauck, Maddie Gough, Mitch Larkin, Leah Neale, Mack Horton, Taylor McKeown, Lani Pallister, Joshua Edwards-Smith, Cody Simpson, William Yang, Zac Incerti, Travis Mahoney, Matt Temple, Madi Wilson, Maddie Groves, Elizabeth Dekkers, William Petric, Brendon Smith, Matt Wilson, Tamsin Cook, Brianna Throssell.

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Joel
2 years ago

Shayna did 53.9 in heats today

Robbos
Reply to  Joel
2 years ago

Shayna Jack with a 53.13 in final.

Troyy
Reply to  Robbos
2 years ago

Also Mollie with 53.67 (26.99 backhalf) and Madi with 53.68.

Troyy
2 years ago

Chalmers said in an interview the other day that he’s targeting Comm Games this year and will most likely skip the Doha 2024 WCs.

Source

Negative Nora (they/them)
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

Most from several countries will probably skip Doha 2024. Can’t blame them either. If you’re wanting to win a world title, it’ll be easy pickings at that one compared to the others.

Last edited 2 years ago by Negative Nora (they/them)
Stewart 100 back gold in Fukuoka
Reply to  Negative Nora (they/them)
2 years ago

Maybe Fina can give this year’s short course Worlds to Doha and cancel the 2024 long course Worlds.

Torchbearer
Reply to  Negative Nora (they/them)
2 years ago

Only proviso is that Doha 2024 I imagine will be the relay qualification for Paris 2024… and a good chance at posting an Olympic qualifier in individual events.

commonwombat
Reply to  Torchbearer
2 years ago

That may actually be a “get out of jail” card for FINA should they see evidence of most leading swimmers looking for “leave passes” for that meet.

Make it the “last chance saloon” for relay qualifications and/or making it a “pre-qualifying” meet for smaller nations.

Admin
Reply to  Torchbearer
2 years ago

If FINA wants to force athletes to go, that would be the way to do it.

Negative Nora (they/them)
2 years ago

Like seeing O’Callaghan in the 200 Backstroke. I think that can be her absolute best event, especially based on her 2FR endurance and 58 100 Back speed.

Sub13
Reply to  Negative Nora (they/them)
2 years ago

I’m excited to see what Mollie can do. She’s great at quite a few events but unfortunately they’re all basically the most competitive for the women currently.

Robbos
Reply to  Negative Nora (they/them)
2 years ago

Interesting to see how she develops. She made huge grounds in 200 free from Trails to Olympics.

commonwombat
Reply to  Robbos
2 years ago

Will be interesting to se what path her progression may take ? Will it see one stroke “plateau” whilst the other progresses ? Will potential retirements play a part in shaping her direction ?

All factors potentially in play; none with clear answers as yet.

Negative Nora (they/them)
2 years ago

McKeown still not doing 400 IM?! Ugh.

Troyy
Reply to  Negative Nora (they/them)
2 years ago

I think it was Mooney that said last year that she doesn’t like the 400 IM which I guess isn’t too surprising.

G L
Reply to  Negative Nora (they/them)
2 years ago

.

Last edited 2 years ago by G L
Mini bus
2 years ago

I wonder if NSW will be sending any swimmers ?

G L
Reply to  Mini bus
2 years ago

You said it !

Bronzedaussie
Reply to  Mini bus
2 years ago

Yes. We’re all thinking it. Many go to Queensland to go to the next level. Been like this for two decades now.

Torchbearer
2 years ago

Great lineup….this will be interesting!

Gheko
Reply to  Torchbearer
2 years ago

I think it will be fast!

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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