15-year old Shayna Jack has broken her own Australian Age Record in the women’s 200 freestyle on Wednesday at the 2014 Jr. Pan Pacs in Maui, Hawaii. She swam a 1:59.48 to place 2nd in that race, which broke her own record of 1:59.67 done at the Australian Age National Championships in April, where she won the 15-year olds race.
The comparative splits:
Jack’s old record: 26.97 / 30.78 / 30.99 / 30.93 = 1:59.67
Jack’s new record: 27.81 / 30.76 / 30.81 / 30.10 = 1:59.48
Jack’s swim this time around was very different from the splitting for her old record, though it was only a small improvement. She held back early, and had a very good closing 50 – the fastest of the entire field at Jr. Pan Pacs, in fact.
Between 15 and 16 is, historically, when Australian 200 freestylers make their big break and drop down to the 1:56/1:57 range, so next season will be very important for Jack if she wants to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Team. She didn’t race the 200 free at Australia’s senior National Championships this past season, but it’s probably going to take a 1:58-mid, at least, to make the 800 free relay in 2015 and 2016. Jack will also be in contention for the 400 free relay, though the success of the Campbell sisters leaves the appearance that, at least for now, an individual spot in the freestyles will be tough to get for Rio.
The outcome of Cate Campbell’s shoulder surgery though, which might leave her off of the World Championships team next season, could open that up for a year.
The second-fastest 15-year old in the 200 free in Australian history is Leah Neale, who swam a 1:59.80 in 2011.