The final night of the Australian Swimming Trials at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre showcased some memorable performances, with another Victorian qualifying for the Olympic Team.
The Men's 400m Individual Medley was the highlight of the evening, with three Victorian swimmers making it to the final. William Petric (Nunawading) delivered an outstanding performance, finishing in 2nd place with a personal best time of 4:11.78 and securing his spot on the Australian Dolphins Team. David Schlicht (MLC Aquatic) closely followed, securing 3rd place, while Marco Soesanto (Melbourne Vicentre) finished in 7th place, showcasing the depth of Victorian talent in this event. In the B final, Jack Gurrie (Nunawading) swam valiantly, securing 14th position overall.
Melbourne Vicentre’s Tara Kinder was back in action in the Women’s 400m IM final. It was a gutsy swim by Tara, posting a time of 4:46.19 to put her in 4th place behind some strong competition. In the final event of the night, Mackenzie Hunter (MLC Aquatic) delivered a strong swim in the Women's 1500m, equalling her personal best time to place 7th overall.
A significant moment of the night was the Women's 50m Freestyle final, where the nation held its breath as Olympic great Cate Campbell (QLD) narrowly missed qualifying for her fifth Olympics. The support from her fellow competitors was a true display of sportsmanship and the essence of what the sport is all about. Cate has been an inspiring role model for many young swimmers over the past 16 years, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
To cap off the evening, the Australian Dolphins team was announced. Victorians everywhere cheered as Samuel Williamson (Melbourne Vicentre, coached by Craig Jackson) and William Petric's (Nunawading, coached by Jol Finck) names were included in the team, marking a proud moment for the Victorian swimming community.
With only 40 days until Paris, the excitement is building. The trials have shown the talent and dedication of Victorian swimmers, setting the stage for an exciting campaign. Follow all the action and support our swimmers as they continue their journey to Olympic and Paralympic glory.