Aus Age Champs: National record falls twice on Day 1

BACKSTROKE sensation Henry Allan (pictured) started off his 2026 Australian Age Championship campaign on the Gold Coast to the same golden tune of his breakout meet last year.
Unstoppable.

And while his celebratory peace symbol was a shoutout to friends and family back home it also stood for two national records from two swims.

In his morning swim, the Junior Dolphin Allan took all of 1min:57.56secs to break Mitch Larkin’s 200m backstroke record (1:59.09) in the boys’ 17 years age group at the Australian Age Championships – a record which has stood for 15 years.

And then Allan promptly broke it again, stopping the clock at 1:57.00 to also break the all-comers record set in 2000 by 5x Olympic gold medallist Aaron Peirsol (USA). Larkin quickly took notice and commented on social media: “Unreal swimming Henry – the future is looking very bright”.

Representing Bendigo East, Allan has been one of the standout backstroke performers in the national pathway over the past 12 months.

Following selection to the 2025 World Junior Championships in Romania, Henry further strengthened his credentials through the NextGen Backstroke Camp, and is shaping up as a bolter for Australia’s medley relay in Glasgow.

“To come back here tonight after heats and repeat the record … I am so proud of myself. The 200m is never my specialty and I am excited to see where I can take it,” he said.

“I would be honoured to step into (Australia’s) medley relay – just the amount of excellence in the men’s and whole Dolphins’ squad.”

IN OTHER EVENTS:

GIRLS’ 17 YRS 200 IM: Rocky City’s Amelie Smith, who competed at World Juniors, has to be one of the most consistent IM swimmers in the country and her trademark storming finish saw her claim gold in 2:14.05 ahead of Lillie McPherson (2:14.23) and Sienna Toohey (2:14.64).

GIRLS’ 18 YRS 50 BK: The reigning world junior champion in this event, Ainsley Trotter showcased her winning form to claim the 18-year girls’ 50m backstroke national title. Trotter from Bond dominated as the only finalist to break the 29-seconds mark (28.61). Griffith University’s Isabella Sheldrick was second fastest at 29.01, followed by Vicentre’s Jessica Wilson in third (29.58).

BOYS’ 15 YRS 100 FR: Somerset’s Koa Stotz used his 200cm long frame to stretch out and claim the 15-year boys’ 100m freestyle national title. A standout breaststroker at last year’s Nationals, Stotz hit the wall in 50.62 to win gold just ahead of Lewis Kreutzberger from North Albury (50.82). Chandler’s Kai Perry picked up the bronze (51.29).

GIRLS’ 17 YRS 50 BK: Rackley’s Ruby Crowther upgraded her 50m backstroke silver from 2025 to gold tonight in the 17-year girls’ final. Racing as the fastest qualifier in lane four, Crowther held off NUswim’s Eva Potts and stopped the clock at 28.98. Potts placed second in 29.09, followed by USA visitor Alba Arnall third (29.37). Jessie Steinman from Nunawading was the third Australian to finish and will also pick up a bronze.

BOYS’ 17 YRS 400 IM: In the boys’ 17-year 400m individual medley, New Zealand’s Ariel Muchirahondo put on a clinic and Warringah’s Luke Higgs dropped a PB that was well under the Junior Pan Pacific Championships qualifying time. The Kiwi visitor stopped the clock at 4:17.62 while Higgs, who made his way up the field from fourth to second, surged home in the freestyle leg to win the national title as the first Australian to finish (4:22.59).

BOYS’ 15 YRS 50 BK: Bryce Kruase impressed in the boys’ 15-year 50m backstroke final when he put former world champion Isaac Cooper’s national age record on watch. Krause’s 25.97 was outside of the Dolphin’s mark of 25.80 but quick enough for the Fairholme swimmer to secure himself the national title. Krause was the only finalist to go sub-26 seconds, with Thomas Symonds from Somerville House second in 26.32 and Lawrence’s Timothy Wellm third (26.59).

GIRLS’ 16 YRS 200 BK: Lilla Ribot-De-Bresac ripped a monster PB to go under well under qualifying time for Junior Pan Pacs and delight selectors. Her 2:26.06 securing a comfortable win over Brielle Dredge (2:28.63) and Coco McGrath (2:30.22).