Meg Harris named as Dolphins' flag bearer ahead of Pan Pacs

Beware the US Team.

While acknowledging the success of the Dolphins recent record-breaking Commonwealth Games team in Glasgow, Australian head coach Rohan Taylor today acknowledged the ruthless ultra-competitive nature of the US Swim Team ahead of next week’s Pan Pacific Championships.

The world’s best female open water swimmer Moesha Johnson will headline the Dolphins first day of competition on August 10 before attention turns to the fast and furious pool action in Irvine, California.

The tight, four-day format will take place from August 12-15 at the William Woollett Aquatics Centre – host of Pan Pacs in 2010 – and the likes of Meg Harris, Sam Short, Lani Pallister, Sam Williamson, Alex Perkins and ever-green Zac Stubblety-Cook headline the 43-team Australian roster.

The ultra consistent Harris, who won six gold in Glasgow, has been recognised for her performances in and out of the pool to be selected to carry the flag for the Dolphins in the Opening Ceremony.

Additionally, the Dolphins will look to continue their rich history in relay events off the back of the Commonwealth Games in which they won all eight relay golds on offer.

From Team USA, with a roster of 52 athletes, the likes of Kate Douglass, Gretchen Walsh, Katie Grimes, Thomas Heilman, and Alex Walsh are looking to disrupt the Dolphins pool party.

“We are looking at the Pan Pacs as a great experience to familiarise ourselves ahead of the LA Olympics and the Americans are going to be as tough as nails on home soil,” warned Taylor, making it clear Australia will be swimming with the sharks in LA.

“And it is also a great experience and opportunity for athletes to race an energetic home crowd against some of the best athletes in the world. We are coming off the back of a Commonwealth Games, and some of our top athletes aren’t here.

“But the ones we have here are richer for the Commonwealth Games experience. And this meet is about repeat efforts from Trials to Glasgow and now to Irvine.

“This is about consistency. The likes of Brittany Castelluzzo, Sam Short, Lani Pallister were consistently repeating their efforts across the Commonwealth Games and I can’t wait to see what they do here in California. Likewise Kai Taylor and Jamie Jack.

“Then there’s Sienna Toohey, a rejuvenated Elijah Winnington and for the women’s 4x100m relay team this is the starting point of a new era with Meg Harris, Alex Perkins and the likes of Milla Jansen, Hannah Casey, Olivia Wunsch … this is the group we will see go though to LA.

“And this couldn’t possible without the support of the Australian Government – and the public – who have been with us not just for the past six weeks while we have been on the road.

“But for the months in the lead up to Glasgow and Pan Pacs. We hope our performances have inspired everyone back home in the lead up to hosting the big dance in Brisbane 2032.”

Pictured: Meg Harris with head coach Rohan Taylor