The pool was alight with talent today with Ashton Brinkworth (UWA-West Coast, c: Michael Palfery, WAIS), Zac Incerti (UWA-West Coast, c: Michael Palfery, WAIS), Brianna Throssell (UWA-West Coast, c: Michael Palfery, WAIS) & Holly Barratt (UWA-West Coast, c: Will Scott, WAIS) all swimming exceptionally fast in the 100m Freestyle.
As mentioned in previous communications, Swimming WA has implemented changes in the event structure at the 2020 Hancock Prospecting Western Australian Swimming Championships, which includes the addition of Open events being swum throughout the heat sessions. With this in mind, it was Throssell who stormed out of the blocks this morning, claiming the State Title and the Roy Hammond Memorial Trophy touching home in a 55.39. The victory was Throssell’s 9th time as the trophy winner, six times more than any swimmer in WA history.
However, it was a much closer affair in the evening session with Throssell and Barratt going stroke for stroke throughout the race. As expected Barratt was out very fast, utilising her world-class skills to turn in 26.69, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the 2016 Olympian, as Throssell stormed home to finish in 55.01 ahead of Barratt in 55.17.
In the Men’s race, it was Brinkworth winning the morning’s race ahead of Incerti, utilising his lightning speed which saw him claim gold in the Men’s 50m Free at the recent Virtual Short Course Champs, turning through the 50m mark in 24.25. Brinkworth (50.09) was able to hold off the fast-finishing Incerti (50.28). The result saw Brinkworth claim the Hick’s Ive trophy for the third consecutive year, putting him in exclusive company with some of Western Australia’s greatest swimmers including Eamon Sullivan, Todd Pearson and Bill Kirby.
The evening, however, belonged to Incerti as he got the better of Brinkworth. The two were out fast again, however it was Incerti leading the way in 24.32. Incerti held on to claim Gold in the Men’s 20 Year’s and Over age group touching in 50.00 with Brinkworth home in 50.18. Incerti who was happy with performance given the workload he is currently in said: “(backing up races) is important, especially at events where the competition isn’t as high. Continuing to learn and execute is a crucial skill for all Swimmers”.
Incerti and Brinkworth will showdown once more in the Men’s 400m Freestyle where a plethora of distance swimmers will be awaiting them.
In other events, Adam Sudlow (UWA-West Coast, c: Michael Shaw) was phenomenal in the Men’s 800m Freestyle. Sudlow who has continued to push on a National level was dominant from start to finish, leading the field through the 400m mark in 4:02.93 before going on to touch in 8:07.03.
Tegan Reder (UWA-West Coast, c: Robert Palfery) was once again impressive in the Women’s 50m Freestyle Multi-Class claiming Gold in a 36.94. Reder’s performance saw her unofficially break the Australian Age S11 record for the event, her second record-breaking performance of the Meet.
Blair Evans (UWA-West Coast, c: Will Scott, WAIS) showed her immense versatility yet again claiming Gold in the Women's 19 & Over 200m Backstroke and 200m Breaststroke. Evan's who has completed 1200m of intense racing since the Championships began will continue her showing on Monday as the heavy favourite in the Women's 200m IM as well as showing down with Throssell in the Women's 200m Butterfly.
The Championship resumes tomorrow at 9 am (AWST) with plenty of fast swimming still yet to come. Tune in via SwimTV, visit the Swimming WA website for more information.
