On-fire Australian swimmer Emma McKeon, who is currently ranked in the top ten in the world across four events, has announced a coaching change just 15 months out from the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
The Herald Sun is reporting that the 20-year-old freestyler/butterflyer made the decision to leave previous coach Vince Raleigh after the 2015 Australian Championships, which took place earlier this month. McKeon had an incredible outing at that championships, scoring two national title-winning finishes – 100m butterfly and 200m freestyle – as well as a 2nd place finish in the 50m butterfly and 5th place in the 100m freestyle.
Despite this recent break-out meet that rendered McKeon ranked 3rd in the world in both the 100m fly and 200m freestyle, she will be moving to Brisbane, to join Michael Bohl’s squad of swimmers at St. Peters Western. In doing so, McKeon will be leaving behind not only Coach Raleigh, but also her close training partner, brother David McKeon.
This is actually the second time within the past year that Emma McKeon has changed coaches, having previously moved with her brother from Wollongong last year, where they were coached by their father, Ron. In her new spot in Brisbane, she will be joining the likes of Madeline Groves, Mitch Larkin and Madison Wilson, as well as Bronte Barratt and Brittany Elmslie.
As for McKeon’s change, Bohl says, “I guess with kids it’s probably happening a lot around Australia people if they’re going to make changes it’s probably now or just after worlds with the Olympics next year. It is important they find the situation that they feel comfortable in.”
We will see how the change suits McKeon thus far, as her next meet is slated for the Canberra Grand Prix on May 15th.
Emma will not have to “move to Brisbane” to join the St Peter’s Western squad. The Chandler club, where she was swimming is in Brisbane too, so she is merely travelling across town. She will not have to leave her brother behind, she just won’t be training in the same pool.
She was clearly not happy with her performance at nationals . That is is quite a good fly lane – McKeon Groves & Elmslie – 57.3 .57.4& 57.8 .& not too shabby on the 200 fr sets – 3 under 1.56.6 & 1.58.( madi wilson ) & a potential sub 7.45 club relay .
I thought Emma’s performance at Australian Trials was wonderful! Was she really disappointed with her times?
Yes , very much so . After the 200 on interview , she replied something like – the win is ok but I don’t like the time . I got the impression she was expecting to go much faster both here & last year at Comms .
She is right .She needs to be in the 1 54s .