Thursday 25 April 2013

2013 EnergyAustralia Swimming Championship


The Australian World Championship trials get under way tomorrow (April 26) in Adelaide, South Australia.

Amid a backdrop of wholesale changes in Swimming Australia, the never-ending Stilnox saga and news that Alicia Coutts considered quitting the sport following alleged bullying from Matt Targett; Australia's finest will reconvene in Adelaide to determine the make-up of the next national team.

Results
Start Times
World Champs Selection Policy

Rather than focusing on the negative stories swirling around, let's take a look at some of the exciting talent coming through the ranks in Australia.

Names to watch out for this week



Jordan Harrison - A distance freestyle star in the making under the tutelage of Dennis Cotterell. Just 17 years old and has already been a world class 3:48 in the 400 free this year.

Kyle Chalmers - Not an immediate threat to the naughty national teamers, but the 14 year old's 50.86 time in the 100 free made the swimming world sit up and take notice.

Remy Fairweather - The 16 year old is right in contention for a spot on the team having been 8:29 and 4:08 this time last year in the 800 and 400 free. She is an intriguing prospect behind the favourites Kylie Palmer and Bronte Barratt in the 400, while the 800 could be wide open.

Alexander Graham - 17 year old who has been 49.11 (100 free) and 1:47.70 (200 free) already this year. A relay spot looks like a very real possibility in the 4x200 free. Versatile swimmer will also swim the 100 back and 100 fly.

Ami Matsuo - Remarkably the 16 year old has been at an elite level for 2 years after clocking 55.26 as a 14 year old. In 2013 she has been 25.57 (50 free), 54.76 (100 free) and 1:58.22 (200 free). Women's freestyle strength in Australia is among the deepest in the world, but this could be the year that Matsuo breaks through into the national team.

Shayna Jack - The 14 year old was a star of the recent Australia Age Championships with her times of 25.41 (50 free) and 55.36 (100 free).

Cameron McEvoy - He swam the heats of the 4x100 free relay in London last year and is still a month away from turning 19. He's still plenty young enough to make major leaps forward in the sprint freestyle events where his best times from last year were an impressive 22.26 (50 free) and 48.58 (100 free).

Jenna Strauch - 16 year old with a chance of making the team in both the 100 and 200 breast. Her times of 1:08.90 and 2:27.55 this year rank her 5th amongst Australians in the 100 breast and 3rd in the 200 breast. She will need to find a second in the 100 and two seconds in the 200 to make the cut for Barcelona, but that's not outside the realms of possibility for a 16 year old.

Mack Horton - 17 year old goes into the competition ranked fastest in the 1500 freestyle. Will need to drop his time of 15:04 from the Australian Age Championships down to a 14:58 to make the team.


1 comment: