Australian Swimming Trials - Day 4 Preview

Kyle Chalmers (pictured) blew out the cobwebs yesterday in preparation for his signature event today – 100m men’s freestyle. Kaylee McKeown is also back in action in the 200m backstroke and Paralympic champions Lex Leary and Rowan Crothers contest their respective 100m freestyle multi-class event.

Swimmers’ Six Pack

Kyle Chalmers I Marion I Men’s 100m Freestyle
Relaxed dad-to-be Kyle Chalmers is yet to decide if he will swim the 50m in Singapore after he finished second to Cam McEvoy last night. But there won’t be any doubt the King will be lining up on the blocks should he qualify in his signature event. Chalmers has won a medal in the 100m free at three consecutive Olympics, including a gold on debut in Rio 2016. The nine times Olympic medallist from Adelaide will have to hold off rising star and national champion Jamie Jack (younger brother to Olympian Shayna) who is looking to win his Dolphin pin.

Rowan Crothers I Marion I Men’s 100m Freestyle MC
Rowan Crothers is on a quest to do what no para-swimmer has done before – break the 50 second barrier for the 100 metres freestyle. Earlier this year, the five-time world champion made the move from Brisbane to Marion to follow his long-term coach Kate Sparkes. The S10 swimmer now trains alongside Olympian Matt Temple and recently claimed his seventh consecutive national title in Brisbane.

Kaylee McKeown I USC Spartans I 200m Backstroke
The treble is looming for the world record holder who has already claimed the 50m and the 100m backstroke at this meet and is seeded more than four seconds ahead of the entire entry list. Jaclyn Barclay, Bella Grant and Hannah Fredericks will tussle for the minor placings. But this time, good mate Mollie O’Callaghan won’t be in the mix as the part-time world class backstroker concentrates on her freestyle program.

Rachael Watson I Chandler I Women’s 100m Freestyle MC
Through sheer grit and determination this triplet, who suffers from paralysis due to Guillain-Barré syndrome and diagnosed spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, became a Paralympic legend. In Paris, Watson became the first Australian to win a medal in the 100m freestyle S3 event. She is also the first Aussie Paralympian or Olympian to win three consecutive medals in a 50m freestyle. The 33-year-old won gold on debut in Rio 2016 and claimed the crown again from lane two in Tokyo and after securing bronze in Paris she is determined to be atop the dais again in LA.

Jamie Perkins I St Peters Western I Women’s 800m Freestyle
Sunshine Coast’s Jamie Perkins was a vital cog in Australia’s 4x200m relay as a heat swimmer to the quartet that won gold in Paris and finished an impressive third last night. Training under Dean Boxall at St Peters, Perkins is in prime position to earn her second gold cap boasting one of the fastest seed times in today’s 800m freestyle event. Beside her in lane four will be Lani Pallister who is having a breakout meet and will act as a handy pacesetter.

Lizzy Dekkers I St Peters Western I Women’s 200 Butterfly
Arguably one of the toughest events in the pool, Lizzy Dekkers is flying up the world ranks in the 200m butterfly. Before her 21st birthday, Dekkers made her Olympic debut in Paris after winning the women’s 200m butterfly at the 2024 Australian Swimming Trials. In Paris, she faced a stacked line up including Canada’s Summer McIntosh and USA’s Regan Smith and just missed out on the podium, placing fourth overall.