Six Pack Preview: Day 1 Aus Age Championships

From today through to April 18, witness the rising stars of Australian swimming compete at the Australian Age Championships.

Australia’s rising stars are ready to hit the water, with a mix of proven performers – including World Championship and World Junior Dolphins – and emerging talent set to impress.

From sprint speed to endurance battles, Day 1 showcases the depth of the next generation.

SWIMMERS’ SIX PACK

Henry Allan – Bendigo East, VIC | 17-18 YRS 200m Backstroke

Allan enters day one as one of the standout swimmers of the meet. The Bendigo East backstroker won eight gold medals at last year’s Age Nationals as a 16-year-old – the 50m, 100m and 200m back, 50m and 100m fly and 100m free. He also broke the 50m backstroke record for 16-year-olds previously held by Isaac Cooper. Went to Junior Worlds in Romania in August – where he finished 4th in both the 50 and 100m backstroke.

Lukas Dunn – Knox Pymble, NSW| 15-16 YRS 100m Freestyle

Dunn crushed the opposition last year with eight golds – including the relays – and will look to defend his 100m free crown today. The son of three-time Olympian Matt Dunn (Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney) will be pushed by the 200cm frame of Somerset’s Koa Stotz – one of last year’s breakout stars.

Luke Higgs – Warringah Aquatic, NSW | 17-18 YRS 400m IM

Higgs takes on one of the toughest events in the pool, the 400m individual medley – and there’s a spot in the history books waiting for him as Australia has never won a world championship medal in this race. The defending champion has built on his international experience by racing at NZ Short Course Championships and then promptly finished 4^th at the Australian Short Course Championships behind Sam Short in both the 800m and 1500m.

Sienna Toohey – Albury, NSW | 17-18 YRS 200m Individual Medley

The defending champion is now entering Age Championships as a World Championship silver medallist after being a heat swimmer in the 4x100m medley relay in Singapore last year. At last year’s Age Championships, Toohey (pictured) claimed four gold medals – the IM and a sweep of the breaststroke.

Ainsley Trotter – Bond University, QLD | 17-18 YRS 50m Backstroke

Hoping to succeed on local turf, Trotter brings serious speed into the 50m backstroke. The Bond University swimmer delivered a standout performance at the 2025 Australian Age Championships, before continuing her blistering form at the World Junior championship with a winning time of 27.88. The 18-year-old was the only Junior Dolphin to win a medal at last year’s Worlds.

Isobel Mulcahy – Carlile, NSW | 15-16 YRS 800m Free

Two-time champion at Age Nationals last year – taking the win in the 1500 and 800 free, and finishing third in the 400 Free. Has been selected for the Australian team for the Junior Open Water World Championships to be held in Argentina in September, after winning her age group in the 7.5km event at the Australian Open Water Championships in Bunbury in January.