Funkettes on Fire
It was an Olympic Trials that had everything. The last week was a rollercoaster of emotions for Australia's top swimmers putting everything on the line, to try to secure a coveted spot on the team to Paris.
The Funkita F-Team athletes were out in force with plenty of finals appearances and a huge swim from Iona Anderson securing her spot on the Australian Olympic team. Here is a quick summary of how the F-Team performed.
Iona Anderson
The World Champs Gold Medallist has qualified for her first Games clocking 3rd behind superstars Kaylee McKeown and Mollie O’Callaghan in the Women’s 100m Backstroke in a time of 58.43. Iona was elated with her swim.
"I was over the moon that I was able to do a PB and to come away with the 18 years Australian record was a bonus. This swim also earned me my spot on my first Olympic team."
Iona will likely get a relay swim and possibly an individual swim if Mollie drops the event from her busy program.
In the 200m backstroke, Iona smashed her PB to finish 4th. She was extremely happy with the result when the shorter distances have been her main strength. Iona also raced the sprint freestyle events in a hotly contested field.
Event: 100m backstroke
Time: 58.43
Place: 3
Event: 200m backstroke
Time: 2:09.22
Place: 4
Event: 50m freestyle
Time: 25.48
Place: 3 (B Final)
Event: 100m freestyle
Time: 56.20
Place: 25
Sienna Toohey
The incredible rise of Sienna was on display when she gave everything she had in the 100m Breaststroke final, finishing 3rd in 1:07.01. The 15-year-old was the clear leader into the last 25 metres but couldn't hang on for a spot to Paris. She smashed the Australian 15-years 100m women’s breaststroke record that Leisel Jones set at the 2000 Sydney Olympics (a time which won Leisel silver at the Olympics).
Event: 100m breaststroke
Time: 1:07.01
Place: 3
Isabella Boyd
18 year old Nunawading swimmer Isabella Boyd has continued to post impressive times as she progresses as an age group swimmer into open racing. She PB'ed in the 200m IM and was right on her PB in the 100m butterfly. Isa summed up her meet for us.
"My aim of the meet was to be able to perform under pressure, which I feel I was able to do. One of my goals was to swim in an A final and to get under World Cup qualifying time and I achieved both of those. I went into the meet tapered and felt happy with my training and preparation."
Event: 200m individual medley
Time: 2:12.44
Place: 4
Event: 100m butterfly
Time: 58.44
Place: 10
Matilda Smith
Another Tassie star now based on the Gold Coast, 19 year old breaststroker Matilda Smith continues to push for selection on Australian teams. Although just off her PBs, Matilda medalled in her main event the 200m breaststroke.
Event: 100m breaststroke
Time: 01:08:46
Place: 5
Event: 200m breaststroke
Time: 02:25:84
Place: 3
Olivia LeFoe
Liv finalled in her main event the 200m backstroke,
"I was super happy to have made the A final as that was always a goal of mine!!"
Event: 100m backstroke
Time: 01:01.89
Place: 15
Event: 200m backstroke
Time: 2:14:88
Place: 8
Taylor Corry
Despite 3 incredible swims by Taylor she was unable to secure a place on the Paralympic team for Paris. Her performance as always was fast and she was happy to be able to hold strong times for her main events.
Event: 100m butterfly MC
Time: 1:08.66
Place: 3
Event: 100m backstroke MC
Time: 1.11.99
Place: 4
Event: 200m individual medley MC
Time: 2.37.55
Place: 5
Other big swims included:
Mikayla Smith
Event: 200m breaststroke
Time: 2:27.45
Place: 5
Bella Grant
Event: 200m butterfly
Time: 2:08.86
Place: 3
Georgie Roper
Event: 1500m freestyle
Time: 16:37.67
Place: 4
Tiana Kritzinger
Event: 1500m freestyle
Time: 16:20.58
Place: 3
Layla Day
Event: 100m backstroke
Time: 1.00.69
Place: 6
Well done to all our Funkita athletes who competed at Aussie Trials and good luck to Iona in Paris!