Six Pack Preview: Day 6 Aus Age Champs

RECAP:
Two Australian Dolphins – the heavyweight names of Isaac Cooper and Zac Stubblety-Cook – had their age group records rubbed out by the fearless ambition of youth on Night 5 finals.

First, Bendigo East’s Henry Allan, who smashed Mitch Larkin‘s 200m backstroke national age record on opening day, erased Cooper’s 17-year boys 100m backstroke all-comers record of 53.49 by a whisker with his new mark of 53.45.

Up for grabs is selection for the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Vancouver this August and last night saw nine qualifying swims.

Heats from 9am | Finals from 6pm local time

Swimmers’ Six Pack

Charlotte Lim, Carlile | 14y Girls’ 400 IM
So far this meet, Charlotte Lim has claimed bronze in the 100m backstroke and 200m IM. But as the fastest entrant in the 14-year girls’ 400m individual medley, the Carlile swimmer is in the fast lane to secure gold. Lim’s close competitor and prolific medal winner MLC Aquatic’s Lucy Ma will also dive in.

Olivia Hine, Somerville House | 18y Girls’ 50m Butterfly
In the semi-final at the 2025 World Junior Championships, Hine broke the 17-year girls’ 50m butterfly national record. Her time of 26.21 bettered the old mark set by Dolphin Olivia Wunsch. Now competing in the 18-year girls’ age group, Hine is a chance to rewrite Emily Seebohm’s national age record of 26.08 set in 2010. The rising sprint flyer currently trains under Tim Lane at Somerville House and has announced her commitment to swim and study at the University of Virginia.

Thomas Sutherland, St Andrew’s | 18y Boys’ 100m Breaststroke
Representing Caulfield Aquatics in Victoria last year, Thomas Sutherland (pictured) was a standout star who claimed the 100m breaststroke national title in his age group. Now training at St Andrew’s on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Sutherland is looking to defend his title and add another gold to his 50m breaststroke.

Cooper Love, Rocky City | 17y Boys’ 400m Freestyle
The 17yr boys’ 400m freestyle national age record of 3:40.59 has remained untouchable since Australia’s greatest middle-distance swimmer Ian Thorpe set it in 2010. But you can bet that this year’s group which features the likes of Cooper Love (Rocky City), Luke Higgs (Warringah) and Charlie Austin (Brisbane Jets) will produce something special in a bid to make their mark. Love hails from the same central Queensland club as 17-year-old star of the meet Amelie Smith.

Eloise McLellan, Brisbane Grammar | 16yr Girls’ 100m Freestyle
Following her podium performances at last year’s Age Nationals, Eloise McLellan was selected for Swimming Australia’s invitational Next Wave Camp. McLellan is coached by Bobby Jovanovich at Brisbane Grammar and is one of the top qualifiers for todays’ 100m freestyle alongside Darwin’s sprint sensation Macey Sheridan and Kiwi visitor Alyssa Lawson.

Daniel Van Luik, Nudgee College | 16y Boys’ 200m Backstroke
The 16yr boys’ 400m free and 400m IM silver medallist, Daniel Van Luik dives in for another shot at gold. Also in the water is Immanuel’s Isaac Allan who boasts the fastest seed time of 2:03.99, followed closely by Lukas Dunn (Knox Pymble – 2:04.27) and Luke Chen (Narrabeen – 2:05.86).