World Championships, Day One Prelims: Big Leadoff From Shayna Jack Powers Australia to Top Seed in 400 Freestyle Relay

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World Championships, Day One Prelims: Big Leadoff From Shayna Jack Powers Australia to Top Seed in 400 Freestyle Relay

Because of the Olympic champion and world titlist status of Emma McKeon and Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack sometimes gets overshadowed in the Australian sprinting realm. Well, just as a reminder of Jack’s talent, she powered the Aussies to the top seed in the 400-meter freestyle relay at the World Championships on Sunday.

Leading off for the Dolphins, Jack delivered a 52.28 split and helped her squad to a mark of 3:31.52, easily the fastest of the morning. Call it a statement swim from Jack, who will race the 50 freestyle individually later this week, but will see McKeon and O’Callaghan occupy the Australian spots in the 100 freestyle. Without that solo opportunity in the 100 free, Jack showed her worth on the front of the 400 free relay.

After Jack handed her team clear water, Brianna Throssell split 53.95. She was followed by a pair of sub-53 splits from Meg Harris (52.55) and Madison Wilson (52.74). At night, McKeon and O’Callaghan will join Jack, with the Harris or Wilson the fourth spot. Unquestionably, the Aussies’ world record of 3:29.69 is in danger.

The United States grabbed the second seed for the night behind the efforts of Torri Huske (53.55), Olivia Smoliga (52.91), Maxine Parker (54.34) and Abbey Weitzeil (52.54). Weitzeil will return at night and join Kate Douglass and Gretchen Walsh, with either Huske or Smoliga likely rounding out the lineup. Smoliga was superb on her leg, using her veteran experience to cut into the early lead Jack forged for Australia.

The Netherlands qualified third in 3:35.50, with Marrit Steenbergen anchoring in 52.13. The field for the final is rounded out by Great Britain, China, Sweden, Canada and Japan.

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