Australian Swimming Trials - Day 3 Heats Wrap

Day 3 heats of the Australian Trials at SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre has set the scene for an epic night of finals racing: Cam McEvoy, Mollie O’Callaghan, Kyle Chalmers, Tim Hodge and teenage sensation Sienna Toohey all line up on the blocks at the Australian Trials.

Women’s 200m Free: Australia’s women’s 200m stocks are fast becoming the new 100m. Lani Pallister took the early honours by qualifying fastest in 1:56.08 followed by Mollie O’Callaghan (1:56.67) but all eight finallists went under Singapore qualifying time. Lurking within striking distance is Jamie Perkins (1:56.80) and Hannah Casey (1:57.05).

Men’s 50m Free: Who will be the fastest father, or rather father-to-be? Cam McEvoy touched in 21.76 … Kyle Chalmers in 22.07 with the pair split by Isaac Cooper (21.86) and Jamie Jack (21.88). After missing the 200m free final last night, Kai Taylor rebounded well this morning dropping .21 from his seed to record a time of 22.33.

Women’s 50m Breaststroke: Sienna Toohey, who qualified for Singapore in the 100m last night, qualified fourth (31.40) but the 16-year-old loves the splash and dash – it’s her favourite event and she will be looking to add a second individual swim to her line-up. Mia O’Leary hit the wall first in 31.26.

Men’s 800m Free Final: Sam Short has been on fire this meet with no signs of stopping. The accomplished long distance and surf swimmer won a shock silver in the 200m free, won the 400m and is up against old foe and Olympic medallist Elijah Winnington. Benjamin Goedemans, who recently broke the 15-minute mark in the 1500m, and Paris open water Dolphin Kyle Lee are also in tonight’s final.

Men’s 200 IM Multi Class: Col Pearse (SM10) and Tim Hodge (SM9) doubled down on their Singapore program with another qualifying swim in the heats. ‘Iron Man’ Hodge smashed his own world record in the event at 2024 Trials and is hot to do it again – it’s just a matter of when. Paris bronze medallist Ricky Betar (SM14) also posted a Singapore qualifying time this morning.

BREAKOUT: JACK ATTACK

JAMIE Jack (pictured) is on the cusp of joining an exclusive Dolphins Club when he hits the water of the men’s 50m free final tonight.

The 22-year-old already did the qualifying time in heats but has to do it again in the final – and finish top two – to make his first senior Dolphins team.

This would put him – and Olympic gold medallist sister Shayna – alongside the Campbells, the McKeons, the McKeowns and as far back as John and Isla Konrads in the 1950s, as siblings that have represented Australia.

The siblings train under coach Dean Boxall at St Peters Western and both are each other’s greatest champions.

Speaking recently after Australian Open Championships, Jack said: “I came up with a very long term goal with Dean (Boxall).”

“We’ve been putting a recipe together for success, and let’s say we’re halfway through. I’d be in tears if we both could be on the Australian team. It would be a very magical moment to be there with my sister (Shayna Jack). There’s also a certain reward to be able to travel for your country while doing the sport that you love.”

To which Shayna, 26, also recently admitted: “In complete honesty, the reason I show up now is my brother.”

“He’s done the work and I’m really, really proud of him and nothing would make me prouder than to be able to represent our country together and to be able to present him with an Australian number, I would be an absolute mess.”