World Juniors Day 3: Rush hour awaits our speed teens

AN hour of power awaits the Australian Junior Swimming Team with five of our Dolphins lining up for finals at the World Junior Swimming Championships tomorrow morning in Romania.

Four sets of semi finals were on the cards at Day 3 of Junior Worlds and the green cap of Australia locked in a lane for all four finals with: Olivia Hine, Henry Allan (pictured), Hayley Mackinder, Lily Koch and Josh Conias all qualifying for their respective medal races.

With the program heavy on 50s, we can look forward to some pure speed but you’ll have to set the alarm clock for 1.17am (AEST) to watch Brisbane’s Hine hit the water to contest the 50m fly.

The 17-year-old qualified fifth fastest for the final in 26.21. Coached at Somerville House,  Hine – who has committed to swim and study at the University of Virginia next year – will start from lane 2.

New Zealand’s Zoe Pedersen led the way in heats with her 25.79, the only sub-26 swim.

The 50 fly has consistently been Hine’s standout event through her age group progression and in a Somerville double, clubmate Josh Conias will contest the men’s 50m free final on Day 4 as well.

In his semi final Conias, coached by Olympic champion Cam McEvoy’s coach Tim Lane, hit the wall in 22.26sec and qualified fifth fastest for the final.

But don’t hit the snooze button – Saturday at 1.23am (AEST) will see Bendigo’s Henry Allan take the water for the 50m back final after qualifying third fastest.

Allan – all 200+cm of him touched in 25.05, neutral athlete Georgii Iakovlev qualified fastest (24.58) and Italy’s Daniele del Signore (25.02) was just .03 seconds ahead of Allan.

Just five minutes later, Griffith University’s Hayley Mackinder and Nunawading’s Lily Koch will line up for the women’s 100m breaststroke final. Mackinder clocked 1:08.17 in her semi final, followed closely by Koch at 1:09.02.

Full results here.

Pic: World Aquatics