2020 QUEENSLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Saturday, December 12th – Friday, December 18th (Day 1 relays only; Days 5-8 are age group)
- Brisbane Aquatic Center
- LCM (50m)
- SwimSwam Meet Preview
- Day 1 Recap
- Entries/Live Results
- Live Stream ($)
After already thrilling swims by 19-year-old Kaylee McKeown in the 100m back and 400m IM, Mitch Larkin in the 100m back and more on day 1, these Queensland Championships proved they were just getting started.
We reported how 15-year-old Flynn Southam crushed a new Aussie age record in the men’s 100m freestyle, overtaking the previous mark held by none other than 2016 Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers. You can read more about Southam of Bond’s breakout performance here.
Additionally, Mollie O’Callaghan established a new Aussie age record in the women’s 100m freestyle en route to silver. The 16-year-old ripped a big-time 53.93 to get under the 54-second threshold in the event, putting up a time faster than sprinting icon Cate Campbell at that same age. O’Callaghan’s swim is detailed here.
Let’s now take a look at a stunning double put up by Olympic medalist Emma McKeon, with the 26-year-old Griffith University star putting on a show in the 100m free and 100m fly events.
First, in the butterfly, McKeon logged a winning effort of 56.69 to open the session, beating the field by just over 3 solid seconds. Splitting 26.58/30.11, McKeon’s time tonight established a new Queensland All Comers Record in the event, overtaking the previous mark of 56.78 she produced herself in 2018.
For the racer who owns a lifetime best and Aussie national record of 56.18, tonight’s 56.69 checks-in as the 8th fastest time of her prolific career. Her outing here would have rendered her the bronze medalist at last year’s World Championships, a medal McKeon captured in a time of 56.61, just .08 under tonight’s time.
She now situates herself as the 3rd fastest swimmer in the world this season in this women’s 100m fly event.
2020-2021 LCM Women 100 Fly
MacNeil
55.59
| 2 | Zhang Yufei | CHN | 55.62 | 09/29 |
| 3 | Torri Huske | USA | 55.66 | 06/14 |
| 4 | Emma McKeon | AUS | 55.72 | 07/25 |
| 5 | Marie Wattel | FRA | 56.16 | 07/24 |
McKeon’s 2nd event tonight of the 100m freestyle was also incredibly impressive, with the woman posting a winning effort of 52.46. Opening in 25.31 and closing in 27.15, McKeon scorched the field to top the podium by well over a second en route to putting up the fastest time in the world this season.
Her time also fell only .05 shy of her own lifetime best of 52.41, a mark she captured at last year’s World Championships Trials. In Gwangju, McKeon settled for 4th place in this 100m free, earning a time of 52.75. Her time of 52.46 from tonight would have tied Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom for 3rd place.
McKeon’s’ 52.46 overtakes fellow Aussie Campbell’s 52.87 she logged just a day ago at the New South Wales Senior State Age Championships.
2020-2021 LCM Women 100 Free
McKeon
51.96
| 2 | Siobhan Haughey | HKG | 52.27 | 07/30 |
| 3 | Cate Campbell | AUS | 52.43 | 04/15 |
| 4 | Penny Oleksiak | CAN | 52.59 | 07/30 |
| 5 | Sarah Sjostrom | SWE | 52.62 | 07/25 |
Still goes 2:05.16 only 25 mins after the 200 im!
McKeon being in PB shape in Tokyo is key if AUS hopes to retain women 4×1 free title and it still may not be enough if Bronte doesn’t have a 52 low leg in her. The US will be RAGING.
Bronte seems to manage 52.8ish flat start tapered even when her shoulders are causing her problems. This’ll be the first year since 2014 that she didn’t go sub 53.
The Aussie team is not dependent solely on Bronte as an additional swimmer to retain the title. There is a depth in the 100m free with the likes of Madi Wilson on the improve as we have seen at the virtual meet recently In Australia and young O’Callaghan on the uprise. It is most likely there will be four sub 53 swimmers with possibly Cate and Emma entering the 51 territory.
Penny 52.7 flat, 52.4 relay
Taylor 52.7 flat, 51.7 relay
Kayla 53.6 flat, 53.1 relay
Maggie 53.1 relay
Just remember the 🇨🇦 girls were leading the 4×1 at 2019 worlds at the 300 mark. Rookie Maggie on anchor swam valiantly to stay in the race with 2 Legends on either side, Simone and C1.
IF Taylor and Penny are anywhere near their 2018/19 best splits above and IF youngsters Kayla and Maggie can make a bit of progression from the above, 🇨🇦 will be right in the thick of it with🇦🇺 and 🇺🇲. The age of the 4 above: 20,20,20,20…
I only like the Canadienne swimmers so I can.talk Quebequois.
Australia has depth, and proven experience, BUT this event is narrowing every year. McKeon is an amazing asset on the Australian team.
The US has not won the W4x100m for 20 years!
Yes . But apparently it’s Australia that doesn’t perform ?
Comment did not age well.
Most dependable female Aussie swimmer. Fastest when the big lights are on. If she keeps this form, she’ll have a fantastic Olympics.
Emma is not related to Kaylee — is that correct?
I don’t know for certain that they have no distant relation – but they have different last names, so any relation isn’t obvious to me.
Emma McKeon vs. Kaylee McKeoWn.
LOL!!!
I believe, these 2 girls will be our most successful swimmers in the Olympics & this confusion will rage on, both will be contenders for 6 or 7 medals each.
McKeon 4 relays plus the 100 free (though big challenge just to even qualify) 200 free & 100 butterfly.
McKeown 4x 100 medley, possible outside chance of 4 x200 & even the 4X 100 mixed medley plus both backstrokes & both IMers,
Mollie broke Yolane Kuklas record for 16yrs of 54.08
Yes there’s a separate article on that.