Melbourne makes a short course splash

 

Swimming Australia: 25 October, 2018: Action has begun in Melbourne this morning at the Hancock Prospecting Australian Short Course Championships being held at Melbourne Sports and Aquatics centre this weekend.

In amongst the first morning of heats was some finals action taking place that saw St Peters Western's Mitch Larkin (23.42) claim gold the 50m backstroke followed by Southport's Tristan Holland (24.08) and Nunawading's Andrew Rice (24.49).

Also picking up gold on the first morning was Holly Barratt (Rockingham), taking out the women’s 50m butterfly in a time of 25.61, followed by Emma McKeon (Griffith Uni) in 25.71 and Emily Seebohm (Brisbane Grammar) securing the bronze in 26.71.

Grayson Bell (TSS Aquatic) claimed gold in the men’s 50m breaststroke in 26.66, with Matthew Wilson (Sopac) picking up silver in 26.69 and South Australian James McKechnie the bronze in 27.04.

In the multi-class events Liam Schulter (Kawana Waters) won gold in the 400m men’s freestyle in 4:09.78 followed by last year’s title holder Mitchell Kilduff (SLC Aquadot) in 4:13.83 and Jack Ireland (Uni of Queensland) in 4:14.54.

Lawnton teammates Monique Murphy (4:33.31) and Lakeisha Patterson (4:41.17) picked up the gold and silver respectively in the women’s 400m freestyle multi-class with Madeleine McTernan (TSS Aquatic) claiming the bronze in 4:47.86.

Paralympian Timothy Disken (PLC Aquatic) claimed gold in the men’s 50m breaststroke multi-class in 31.08, with Jake Michel (Carina Leagues CJ’s) and Blake Cochrane (USC Spartans) claiming silver and bronze respectively in 29.68 and 35.58.

14-year-old Ruby Storm (Taralgon) took out the women’s 50m breaststroke multi-class in a time of 36.83 ahead of Jamielee Getson ( Melbourne Torpedoes) in 37.14 and Ashley Vanrijswijk (Wagga Wagga) in 37.14.

Heading into tonight’s finals, men’s 400m freestyle Pan Pacs gold medalist Jack McLoughlin claimed lane four with the fastest heat time of 3:40.58, followed by Elijah Winnington (Bond) with 3:41.93.

Teammates from Brisbane Grammar Minna Atherton (2:04.97) and Commonwealth Record holder Emily Seebohm (2:06.16) will go into the women’s 200m backstroke final as the fastest qualifiers from heats along with third fastest Melbourne's Sian Whittaker (2:07.49).

In the women’s 100m freestyle Emma McKeon heads into tonight with the fastest heat time of 52.16, followed by Carla Buchanan (Acacia Bayside) with 54.04 and Holly Barratt with 54.50.

All eyes will be on the 100m men’s freestyle final with Cameron McEvoy (TSS Aquatic) clocking up 47.14 to qualify fastest with Louis Townsend second in 47.36 (Rackley) and current title holder and Olympic Champion Kyle Chalmers (Marion) in 47.67.

In the battle of the S14 swimmers, Daniel Fox (USC Spartans) heads into tonight’s 50m men’s freestyle multi-class final as the fastest qualifier in 24.28 with Ricky Betar (Auburn) in 24.56 and Jack Ireland (Uni of Queensland) in 25.04 hot on his heels.

Six-time Paralympic gold medalist Ellie Cole will go head-to-head with fellow S9 athlete Ashleigh McConnell this evening as they look to battle it out in the women’s 50m freestyle multi-class.

In the women’s 400m IM Mikkayla Sheridan (USC Spartans) will start in lane four after clocking up 4:36.99 in the heats, followed by Kiah Melverton (TSS Aquatic) in 4:37.95 and Sophie Caldwell (Nunawading) in 4:39.18.

Finals begin at 6.30pm tonight with heats beginning at 10.00am tomorrow morning.

Overlay of this mornings training session and an interview with Mitch Larkin can be found here and editorial images attached. Please credit Swimming Australia and Delly Carr.

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