SWIMMING: Cameron McEvoy has done what no man has done before him in Australia. The 21-year-old has tonight added the 50m freestyle crown to his 100m and 200m freestyle wins to become the first swimmer to win the freestyle sprint treble at an Australian Championships.

And on a night for the speed cameras his fellow 100m freestyle champion, Cate Campbell also set a personal best, stopping the clock at 23.93, a new Commonwealth, Australian and All-Comers record

McEvoy’s impressive trifecta at the 2016 Championships tonight comes after he clocked the second fastest time in the world this year (behind Florent Manadou’s 21.42) taking 0.3 off his personal best to record a sizzling 21.44 – a time which even surprised himself.

It was also third fastest in Australian history, behind Ashley Callus (21.19) and Eamon Sullivan (21.28)

“I went into that (race), especially after the 100, expecting to do a small PB,” McEvoy said.

“I knew there was room as long as I hit it right. I am extremely happy with that time. I know it is a long way off but I am closer to the 20 point than the 22 now, being 21.4.

“It’s good to be able to do that. To have such good low-end speed in the 50, but to also be able to step up and do a solid 200.

“It’s a nice to be a part of history and the first person to do that [win all three events]. I’m just more happy that I can hit three decent times in those three events too. I did it at the short course champs and I thought that was a great base coming into this event and I repeated it and came out with three great times.”

The women’s 50m freestyle is set to be as exciting as the men’s with Cate Campbell flying to a new Commonwealth, Australian and All-Comers record of 23.93 to win her semi-final.

“I’m very, very pleased with that. How could you not be?! It is a PB, you don’t stumble across them every day,” said Campbell.

And while Campbell’s previous personal best was set back in 2014 at the Pan Pacs she is optimistic about what lies ahead for her in tomorrow’s final.

“I just want to go more of the same. I swim my best races when I am relaxed and comfortable and in control,” said Campbell.
“Tomorrow night will just be about building on tonight and enjoying it.”

Younger sister Bronte Campbell will go into the final second fastest behind Cate after qualifying in 24.27, with their emerging training partner Shayna Jack (24.87) and Brittany Elmslie (24.92) in the mix.

The feel good story of the night came from dual Olympian Belinda Hocking who produced one of the swims of the meet in the women’s 200m backstroke, beating a World Champion and two rising young stars to take the Australian title in a new All-Comers record time of 2:06.49 as she eyed off a third Olympic team.

Hocking, who has competed in the 200m backstroke at the last two Olympic Games, will get another chance to go for a medal, with her time qualifying her for Rio. After months of injury and uncanny bad luck, the comeback to form and to the top of the dais is welcome news for the hardworking athlete from Nunawading in Victoria.

“My nerves got better and better as the competition went on but I really felt at peace tonight, coming into this,” said Hocking who had six months out of sport and made significant changes to her training when she got back into the pool.

“Yes, there were nerves but I have a fantastic life that I have built up over the last six months with my support system so I couldn’t be happier.

“I had confidence in knowing that this was my life journey and no matter what the outcome tonight I would be happy with it.

“I needed to take the time out to decide why I was swimming and not do it for anyone else except me.”

Reigning World Champion Emily Seebohm (Brisbane Grammar, QLD) finished second, just a fraction behind Hocking in 2:06.59.

“It has always been her [Hocking’s] forte never mine. I think when she wasn’t around I felt like there was an open spot I could take so I took it but now she is wanting it back.

“I would have liked to have gone better. I’m not always at my best here. But internationally it is harder so it makes me work harder in training. So I’m not too concerned but I would have liked to have gone better. It’s definitely going to make me work a lot harder for the Olympics.”

The Australian Record was in Jess Ashwood’s grasp in the 800m freestyle, but it wasn’t meant to be, the 22-year-old won the race in 8:18.42, just 0.01 of a second off her own record. Despite missing her record, it was the second fastest swim in the world this year, boding well for Ashwood’s Olympic campaign.

“It was a good outcome,” Ashwood said. “When I saw the time, I thought – that is good, and then, hang on what is the record? No! But it is good because I didn’t mess anything up.

“I just wanted to get in there and give it my best shot. I only taper twice a year so when I do taper, I want to give it everything I’ve got to see what I can do.

“I’m very happy with that hit-out.”

In the men’s 100m butterfly, 22-year-old David Morgan was victorious, winning in 51.64. Morgan, who trains at TSS Aquatics in Queensland, already qualified for Rio in the 200m butterfly, but missed the 100 cut-off by a fraction. His 200m Rio teammate Grant Irvine was second in 51.76. Lawnton’s Daniel Lester was third in 52.33.
Melbourne Vicentre’s Ahmed Kelly was victorious in the men’s 100m breaststroke Multi-Class, winning in 1:50.59 (982 points). A selection event for the SB7 class, Blake Cochrane was dominant in his second place swim, clocking 1:17.26 (978 points) to ensure he will be out to defend his Paralympic title in Rio. Grant “Scooter” Patterson was third in 2:17.09 (906 points).
In the corresponding women’s event, 14-year-old Tiffany Thomas Kane took her third title of the meet, winning in 1:35.32 (988 points). Prue Watt (Cranbrook Eastern Edge, NSW) ensured she would be on the plane to Rio to compete at her third Paralympic Games, finishing second in 1:19.18 (924 points). Paige Leonhardt also locked in her Paralympic nomination, finishing third in 1:21.31 (847 points).
In the 50m butterfly Multi-Class Taylor Corry (Nelson Bay, NSW) won the women’s event whilst Mitchell Kilduff (MLC Marlins, NSW) was victorious in the men’s.
Read more about the men’s 1500m freestyle, the … here – Race to Rio Preview Day 8:
Women’s 100m Breaststroke Multi-Class

1. Tiffany Thomas Kane SB6 (Ravenswood, NSW) 1:35.32 (988 points)
2. Prue Watt SB13 (Cranbrook Eastern Edge, NSW) 1:19.18 (924 points)
3. Paige Leonhardt SB9 (Wingham, NSW) 1:21.31 (847 points)

Men’s 100m Breaststroke Multi-Class

1. Ahmed Kelly SB3 (Melbourne Vicentre, VIC) 1:50.59 (982 points)
2. Blake Cochrane SB7 (USC Spartans, QLD) 1:17.26 (978 points)
3. Grant Patterson SB2 (Central Cairns, QLD) 2:17.09 (906 points)

Women’s 200m Backstroke

1. Belinda Hocking (Nunawading, VIC) 2:06.49
2. Emily Seebohm (Brisbane Grammar, QLD) 2:06.59
3. Sian Whittaker (Melbourne Vicentre, VIC) 2:07.47

Men’s 100m Butterfly

1. David Morgan (TSS Aquatics, QLD) 51.64
2. Grant Irvine (St Peters Western, QLD) 51.76
3. Daniel Lester (Lawnton, QLD) 52.33

Women’s 800m Freestyle

1. Jessica Ashwood (Chandler, QLD) 8:18.42
2. Tamsin Cook (UWA West Coast, WA) 8:27.01
3. Kareena Lee (Mountain Creek Mooloolaba, QLD) 8:31.06

Men’s 50m Freestyle

1. Cameron McEvoy (Bond, QLD) 21.44
2. Matthew Abood (Canberra, ACT) 22.08
3. James Magnussen (Ravenswood, NSW) 22.12

Men’s 50m Backstroke

1. Mitch Larkin (St Peters Western, QLD) 24.73
2. Bobby Hurley (Unattached, NSW) 25.07
3. Joshua Beaver (Nunawading, VIC) 25.25

Women’s 50m Breaststroke

1. Georgia Bohl (St Peters Western, QLD) 30.58
2. Jennie Johansson (Sweden) 30.71
3. Sally Hunter (Marion, SA) 31.04

Swimming Australia