2013 Energy Australian Swimming Championships

Congratulations to Coach Ron and the team of 6 Wests Illawarra Aquatic athletes, Alexis Mastro, David Mckeon, Emma Mckeon, Jarrod Poort, Tanaz Dhondy and Zoe Elkerton who competed at the recent Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide which also doubled as the selection trials for the FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain in late July.
There must be something in the water in Adelaide as these guys were flying just as the age group swimmers were.
Notable performances were by David Mckeon 400m Freestyle GOLD Medalist in a time of 3:43.71. This makes David the 3rd Fastest Australian ALL TIME following only two of world middle distance swimming’s greats in Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett
BRONZE Medalist in the 200m Freestyle 1:46.96, 9th Fastest Australian ALL TIME. These performances have secured David an individual spot on the and also a spot in the Men’s 4×200 Freestyle Relay Team.
After a fantastic Australian Age campaign Alexis Mastro backed up well post a personal best in the 50m Freestyle 26.91 and some solid times very close to her best in the 100m Freestyle, 200m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly, 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke and 200m Backstroke.
Tanaz Dhondy and Zoe Elkerton performed strongly to qualify for the Women’s 400 Freestyle B Final and come away with personal best times. Zoe followed this up in the Women’s 1500m Freestyle with an amazing 25 second personal best time 16:58.86 to take 5th place. Jarrod Poort claimed a GOLD medal in the Men’s 800m Freestyle 8:06.71 to add to his Australian 5km Open Water Title and swam a very gallant 1500m on the last day of competition to take 4th place.
Emma Mckeon couldn’t have scripted her week any better. She broke the 1 minute barrier for the 100 Butterfly 59.72, then followed this up with a courageous swim in the 200m Freestyle final to claim the BRONZE medal in a personal best time of 1:56.77 only 0.72 behind winner and 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist Bronte Barrett. This performance puts Emma at 5th Fastest Australian ALL Time, the fastest 18yr old Australian Female All Time and secures her a spot in the 2013 World Championship Team. Emma backed up with a blistering 100m Free 54.17 to place 4th and book another spot for the 4×100 Freestyle Relay Team.

2013 Australian Age and Multi-Class Championships

Well Done to Coach James and our team of 14 Wests Illawarra Aquatic athletes, Niamh Bourke, Tanaz Dhondy, Kiera Eady, Josh King, Alexis Mastro, Emma Mckeon, Kaitlin Mckeon, Vladimir Pan, Jake Power, Emily Rosskelly, Madeline Martinoski, Matthew Webster, Aaron Cannon and Matthew Hearne that competed at the recent Australian Age Championships in Adelaide. The synergy within the group for the week was amazing kicked off with an “Arts and Crafts” session before the meet and plenty of cheering and support throughout the championships.
Notable individual performances were from Emma Mckeon 2nd 50 Freestyle, 1st 200 Freestyle, Alexis Mastro 12th 200 Freestyle, 6th 100 Freestyle, Niamh Bourke 12th 800 Freestyle, 18/under Girls 4×100 Freestyle (Emma Mckeon, Kiera Eady, Emily Rosskelly, Alexis Mastro) 3rd, 16/under Boys 4×100 Freestyle (Vladimir Pan, Joshua King, Jake Power, Matthew Webster) 11th, 18/under Girls 4×200 Freestyle (Alexis Mastro, Emily Rosskelly, Kaitlin Mckeon, Niamh Bourke) 8th, 18/under Boys 4×200 Freestyle (Matthew Webster, Vladimir Pan, Joshua King, Jake Power)
Following the Australian Age Championships was the Australian Age Multi-Class Championships where both Aaron Cannon and Matt Hearne had a very full schedule of 7 and 9 events respectively. The boys performed outstandingly with each achieving numerous personal best times and bringing home a swag of medals, Aaron collected 2 Bronze medals and Matt an amazing 6 Medals from 8 swims, 2G (100 FR, 50 FL),3S (50 FR, 100 FL, 50 BK) 1B (100 BK)

World Championships Bound

Congratulations to David Mckeon and Emma Mckeon on their selection in the 2013 FINA World Championship Swimming Team. They will join team mate Jarrod Poort following his selection in the 5km Open Water.
David won Gold in 400m Freestyle in a time of 3:43.71. This makes David the 3rd Fastest Australian ALL TIME following only two of world middle distance swimming’s greats in Ian Thorpe and Grant Hacket
David was also won the BRONZE medal in the 200m Freestyle 1:46.96, which puts him at 9th Fastest Australian ALL TIME. These performances have secured David an individual spot on the team and also a spot in the Men’s 4×200 Freestyle Relay Team.
Emma swam a very courageous 200m Freestyle final to claim the Bronze medal in a personal best time of 1:56.77 only 0.72 behind winner and 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist Bronte Barrett. This performance secures Emma a spot in the 4×200 Relay team, puts her at 5th Fastest Australian ALL Time and the fastest 18yr old female All Time. Emma backed this up with a blistering 100m Free in a time of 54.17 to place 4th and book a spot in the 4×100 Freestyle Relay Team.
Well Done David, Emma and Ron we are all very proud!!

Jarrod Poort seals Barcelona berth

Rising star Jarrod Poort has continued the excellent form that saw him compete at the 2012 Olympic Games by securing a berth on the Australian world championship team.

Competing at the Australian Open Water Swimming Championships over the weekend, Poort won the men’s 5km event to earn a place on the Australian open water team heading to Barcelona later this year.

The 18 year old, who made his Olympic debut in London, won the race in 56:48.96, just 0.85 seconds ahead of second place.

Earlier in the meet Poort won bronze in the men’s 10km event.

The 2013 FINA Aquatic World Championships take place in Barcelona, Spain, from July 19 – August 4.