UWA-West Coast training partners Ashton Brinkworth and Zac Incerti have shared the top honours in the blue-ribband 100m freestyle on Day Two of the 2020 Hancock Prospecting Western Australian Swimming Championships at the HBF Stadium, Perth.
The morning session saw Brinkworth (50.09) utilise his early speed (splitting 24.25 at the 50m turn) to out-touch Incerti (50.28) and Jackson Grovers (St Hildas) 51.82 to claim the Hick’s Ive trophy for the Open 100m freestyle title for the third consecutive year,
Brinkworth joining names like WA Olympic stars Eamon Sullivan, Todd Pearson and Bill Kirby on the coveted trophy.
TO THE WINNER THE SPOILS: Hick’s Ive Trophy winner Ashton Brinkworth with Zac Inherit (left) and Jackson Grovers. Photo Courtesy: The Nomad Company (Swimming WA)
But when they returned to the pool for the evening session and the 20 years and over State title it was Incerti who turned the tables on Brinkworth with Grovers again third home in 52.13.
The pair were again out fast, however this time it was Incerti who led at the turn, out in 24.32.
Incerti, the opening night’s winner of the 200m freestyle, held on to claim the gold medal in an agonising 50.00 with Brinkworth home in 50.18.
Incerti was happy with performance given the workload he is currently under, saying: “(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.”
The Michael Palfrey-coached pair will continue their rivalry in the men’s 400m freestyle where they will meet last night’s 800m freestyle winner, the Michael Shaw trained Adam Sudlow (UWA-West Coast) who won the title in 8:07.03.
FULL THROSSELL: Roy Hammond Memorial Trophy winner Brianna Throssell shares the open 100m freestyle podium with Hollie Barratt (left) and Tamsin Cook. Photo Courtesy: Nomad Photography (Swimming WA).
In the women’s 100m freestyle it was Rio Olympian and world championship relay gold medallist Brianna Throssell (UWA-West Coast) who stormed out of the blocks yesterday morning to claim the Open title in 55.39 and a record ninth Roy Hammond Memorial Trophy from Hollie Barratt (Rockingham) 56.56 and returning Rio relay silver medallist Tamsin Cook (UWA West Coast) 57.30
When the girls returned last night it was a much closer affair with Throssell and Barratt going stroke-for-stroke, Barratt out in 26.69.
But it wasn’t enough to hold Throssell off who powered home to take the WA State title in 55.01 ahead of Barratt’s 55.17.
In other events Rio Olympian and 400IM winner from night won Blair Evans (UWA-West Coast) showed her immense versatility claiming gold in the women’s 19 & Over 200m backstroke (2:19.88) and the 200m breaststroke (2:34.46).
Evans, coached by Will Scott, has completed 1200m of intense racing since the Championships began and will continue her heavy racing program on Monday with the 200m IM before she lines up against Throssell in the 200m butterfly.
Other notable swims came from Josh Edwards-Smith (UWA-West Coast) who clocked 2:02.41 to clock the fastest time of the night to win the 17 years 200m backstroke and the 100m freestyle in 52.33 while Hugh Moran (UWA-West Coast) who clocked 51.44 in the 18-19 years 100m freestyle.
In the men’s 18-19 years 200m breaststroke it was Sasha Bell (UWA West Coast) who won the gold medal) in 2:17.02 from Joshua Yong (UWA West Coast) 2:19.12 and Matthew Joubert (South Shore) 2:24.89.
The 400m individual medley winner from night one, Kieren Pollard (North Coast) added the 18-19 years 200m backstroke in 2:08.47 in another close affair from Callan Smith (Scarborough Beach) 2:08.65.
The Championship resumes tomorrow (Sunday) at 9 am (AWST). Tune in via SwimTV, visit the Swimming WA website for more information.