MELBOURNE, Australia, September 21. A day after Ellen Fullerton dusted Stephanie Rice's Australian record in the women's 400 IM, Matt Jaukovic took down the Australian All-Comers standard in the men's 100 fly at the Australian Short Course Championships.
Jaukovic clocked a time of 50.37 to beat the 2001 record of 50.71 set by Geoff Huegill. The swim is among the top 10 all time in the event.
"I swam on the Serbia and Montenegro Youth teams as a backstroker and only really concentrated on butterfly recently," Jaukovic told Swimming Australia. "I have concentrated on my studies over the past three years and have only really started training four times a week before increasing my work load to six and seven sessions. We have only started gym work over the past 12 months and I will now concentrate on swimming over the next couple of years. I actually hoped to swim 49 tonight but I'm happy with that time and now really looking forward to the 50 butterfly starting tomorrow."
Chris Wright took second in the event with a 51.07, while Mitch Patterson finished third in 51.90.
In the first finale of the evening, Rob Pavoni snared the men's 400 IM title in 4:13.79. Declan Potts touched second in 4:15.24, while Shane Cross placed third in 4:15.62.
Jade Edmistone followed with a winning time of 30.56 in the women's 50 breast semis. Sarah Katsoulis placed second in 30.69, while Kristy Morrison took third in 31.17.
"That has just blown me away….I certainly did not expect that time after hardly any training," Edmistone told Swimming Australia. "While recuperating from my operation I had had plenty of time to think about the future, hence the change to Drew and we have already struck up a great partnership."
Robert Hurley surfaced triumphant in the men's 100 back with a time of 51.24, while Daniel Arnamnart (52.75) and Hayden Stoeckel (52.88) completed the top three.
In the women's 100 back, Grace Loh earned the title in 59.33 with Bridget Taylor touching close behind with a second-place 59.83. Amy Cockerton claimed third in 59.92 with Fran Adcock also breaking a minute in 59.97.
In the closest finish of the meet so far, Craig Calder touched out Karl Wurzer, 1:00.47 to 1:00.48, in the men's 100 breast. Craig Tucker, meanwhile, finished third in 1:00.80.
The women's 800 free crown went to Blair Evans, who registered an 8:27.84 for the win. Belinda Bennett placed second in 8:33.95, while Luane Rowe took third in 8:34.54.
Jayden Hadler, Ben Donaldson, Wright and Kyle Richardson topped the men's 800 free relay in 7:11.42.
In the women's 100 free semis, Marieke Guehrer paced the field with a time of 53.80. Kelly Stubbins finished second in 54.67, while Fullerton qualified third in 55.04.
Guehrer then topped qualifying in the women's 50 fly semis with a time of 26.23. Amy Smith qualified second in 27.15 with Tegan Warrener taking third in 27.17.
In the men's 50 free semifinals, Richardson earned the top seed in 21.86, while Tom Miller finished second in 21.92. Cameron Prosser clinched third in 21.94.
Morrison qualified just ahead of Fullerton in the women's 100 IM semis, 1:02.20 to 1:02.24, while Jessica Legge touched third in 1:02.33.
In multi-disability events, Prue Watt topped the women's 50 fly in 31.13. Reigning Swimming World Disabled Male Swimmer of the Year Matthew Cowdrey won the men's 50 fly in 27.15.
"I'm just here to have some fun, swim a few 50s and hang out with everyone from my squad," Cowdrey told Swimming Australia.
"It was an amazing experience and to improve my times and lower my world records was a huge thrill and it is now great to be back in Australia and I'm looking forward to getting home," Cowdrey continued regarding his eight-medal performance at the 2008 Paralympics.
In the women's 200 IM, Teigan Van Roosmalen won in 2:39.03, while Patrick Donachie took the men's 200 IM in 2:22.79.
