SWIMMING: One of the most anticipated events of the 2016 Australian Swimming Championships got underway on Day 4, with the men’s 100m freestyle heats.
Swimming at his home pool in Adelaide, 17-year-old Kyle Chalmers set the fastest qualifying time of 48.61.
Backing up from his blistering 200m freestyle final last night, Cameron McEvoy posted the second fastest time of 48.75, with London Olympic silver medallist James Magnussen the third fastest in 48.77.
“It felt nice, I’m really happy with that,” Magnussen said.
“I felt like my rates were low and I settled into it nicely so I’m happy. The last Olympic trials I was coming into after three years of straight racing and it was probably the mental part I had to get right.
“This time round I feel mentally stronger than ever, I just have to get the skills and racing right.”
Tonight’s semi-finals will see these three top qualifiers go up against an in form Kenneth To (49.12), Olympian Tommaso D’Orsogna (49.24) and Will Stockwell (Commercial, QLD) who posted a personal best time of 49.32.
There was an interesting swim-off for 17th (first reserve) between London Olympian and the Rio-bound 400m swimmer David McKeon (Chandler, QLD) and Miami's Jarrod Killey, who both clocked 50.11 in the heats.
McKeon’s swim-off time of 49.40 would have been easily fast enough to qualify not only the top 16 but the top eight.
Fourth place-getter in last night’s 200m freestyle Dan Smith (Miami) 49.47 and London Olympian James Roberts (Somerset) 49.51 will also be eagerly chasing a spot in the final eight.
Meanwhile noted Australian open water star Kareena Lee (Mountain Creek Mooloolaba, QLD) was dominant in this morning’s timed final of the women’s 1500m freestyle, winning her first National title in 16:27.26.
Whilst the women’s 1500m is not an Olympic event, the win is an important step on Lee’s own road to Rio.
Lee is aiming for a berth in the 10km open water event, with selection taking place in June in Portugal. Competing alongside her for the one berth available is close friend, 17-year-old Chelsea Gubecka from Kawana Waters, QLD, who was second in 16:42.03, with Zoe Elkerton third in 16:51.43.
Having already earned Olympic nomination for her swim in the 100m butterfly, Maddie Groves is now looking to add the 200 to her ticket. The 20-year-old from St Peters Western produced a comfortable heat swim of 2:09.80 and will head into tonight’s semi-final with Brianna Throssell (Perth, WA) the next top qualifier on 2:11.53.
Matthew Wilson has taken steps towards his Olympic dream, swimming the fastest heat of the men’s 200m breaststroke. The 17-year-old from SOPAC clocked 2:12.90 ahead of Nicholas Schafer (2:13.31) and Jake Packard (2:14.59).
AUSTRALIAN SWIM TEAM
