Day 5 Finals: Conias flirts with Kyle Chalmers' record at Aussie Age

THEY’RE big flippers to fill but Somerville House weapon Josh Conias (pictured) was earning comparisons to a young Kyle Chalmers after coming within 0.02 second of a national record at the Australian Age Championships at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.

Conias, contesting the 16 years 50m freestyle, clocked 22.35 after registering 22.40 in his morning heat – both marks just shy of the record Chalmers set in this age division in 2015. Three years later, Chalmers would go on to win gold at the Rio Olympics.

Coached by Tim Lane, the Somerville House swimmer’s flirtation with Chalmers’ record will see him in contention for the Australian team selected for Junior Pan Pacs in Canberra later this year.

The rising sprint star, who trains with Olympian Cam McEvoy, finished well ahead of Jackson Anderson (Highlanders, 23.15) and Alexander Sillitoe (Southlake Dolphins, 23.35).

From a rising star to a World Championship and Commonwealth Games freestyle gold medallist – Flynn Southam.

Southam, with his sights set firmly on Paris, continued to celebrate his final year as an Age Grouper – adding the 18 years 200m freestyle to the 400m title he won two nights ago.

Southam (Bond) touched in 1:46.43, ahead of fellow World Junior medallist Anders McAlpine (Churchie) 1:48.84 and Koby Bujak-Upton (Knox Pymble) 1:49.65.

In one of the closest finishes of Night 5 finals, three athletes went under the 2 minute mark in the girls 17 years 200m freestyle. Giselle Davey (Caulfield) smashed out a PB (1:59.17) to win gold, Milla Jansen (1:59.52) second and Inez Miller (1:59.72) third.

Special mention to West Australian swimmer Xavier Collins who showcased his versatility in the 17 years age division.

The Westside Christchurch swimmer – who will swim 10km at the World Junior Open Water Championships in Italy in September – finished fifth in the 50m freestyle (won by Forster’s Joel Fleming, 23.06), touching in 23.38.

In other events:

• Girls 15 years 50m Freestyle:

Youth Commonwealth Games star Lillie McPherson from Lane 8 did the double, adding the 50m freestyle gold to the 100m freestyle gold won earlier at this meet. McPherson, from Manly, clocked 25.73 with Frankie Somerville (Cranbrook, 25.92) second and Asha Ring (SOPAC, 26.06) third.

• Boys 17 years 200m Individual Medley:

He’s been the dominant Age Group medley swimmer for the past two years and Sam Higgs (Warringah) cruised to victory in 2:03.37, with Oscar Kreutzberger (North Albury, 2:05.76) – second and Brayden Woodford (Wests Illawarra, 2:07.78) third.

• Girls 15 Years 200m Butterfly:

Chandler’s Ava Gaske, a prolific gold medal winner at last year’s age championships, defended her 200m fly title, clocking 2:15.65, Amelie Smith (Rocky City, 2:16.27) second and Clara Carrocci (Norwood, 2:17.02) third.

• Girls 13 years 400m Freestyle:

Victoria went 1-2 with Arika Erdenko (Surrey Park) out-touching Ciara Jeffs (Yarra Plenty) – 4:26.66 to 4:26.77, while Molly Bawden from Kawana Waters finishing third (4:30.43).

• Day 6 heats start 9am Thursday
• Live results can be found at https://liveresults.swimming.org.au/sal/2024Age/
• Don’t miss the Australian Age Championships live and free on 9Now