NSW metropolitan titles: Top swimmers ahead of NSW Open and Australian age championships

There were PB’s, records, comebacks and show stopping swims at the Metropolitan championships. The 11 athletes who turned heads ahead of the Australian age titles.

The NSW metropolitan swimming championships produced some show stopping performances. Pics: Supplied/Chloe Osborn

Brothers, a “pocket rocket’’ and a teen on the comeback are among the young guns Swimming NSW coaching director Jon Shaw has identified as standouts at the metropolitan championships in Sydney over the weekend.

Shaw said athletes are still in full training mode with the NSW open championships from March 10-12 and the Australian age titles just over a month away on the Gold Coast.

But the top swim official said the Metro championships provided an early preview of the form of some of our rising stars and leading contenders at the upcoming meets.

“People are in full training at the moment, not tapering or rested,’’ Shaw said.

The NSW metropolitan swimming championships produced some great performances. Pic: Supplied/Chloe Osborn

“But there were still some really good swim under duress you might say.’’

The NSW championships will be the final big hitout for swimmers before the Australian champs.

Shaw said Revesby Worker’s Abbey Connor, 17, who is coached by Alex Clarke, was one who impressed at the meet.

Abbey Connor at the Commonwealth Games. Pic: Michael Klein

“She did a very smart 2.10.98 in the 200m fly,’’ he said.

“She took a break after the Commonwealth Games and world championships is returning after a hiatus and looks great.

“She did a 1.49 for the 100m fly as well.’’

Joshua Kerr, third from left and Lillie McPherson both swam at the meet.

The Justin Rothwell coached Joshua Kerr from the Manly Swimming Club produced sensational swims at the meet as he continues his comeback from a break due to illness.

“He’s only 16 and swam a 2.04.71 in the 200IM after being out for three months,’’ Shaw said.

“That was a two second PB and a metro record.

“That was (Tokyo Olympian) Se-Bom Lee’s record from 2017 of 2.06.73.’’

One of the youngest swimmer to make a mark was Lillie McPherson, who swims with Kerr at Manly.

“She’s a little pocket rocket and won the women’s open 50m fly - and she is only just 14,’’ Shaw said.

“She also won the 14 years 100m fly, 200m fly, 100 free and was 3rd in the 100 fly and second in the 100m breaststroke.

“She is tracking really well for the Australians.’’

Tim Hodge is a Paralympic and Commonwealth Games swimmer.

Shaw said Paralympian Tim Hodge, who works under Se-Bom’s former coach Misha Layne at ACU Blacktown, was another who showed top form at the Metros.

“This guy is moving in multi-class,’’ Shaw said.,

“He broke a world record for the IM at the Victorian championships a week ago and then backed it up with another win at Metros in the 200m IM 200m in multi class,’’ Shaw said.

“He also got third in the men’s 17 and over 400m IM in the able-bodied.’’

Olivia Wunsch is a star on the rise.

Another competitor to have done the metros after swimming at the Victorian titles was Carlisle’s Olivia Wunsch.

“She did the 100m free in 55.16 which was just a little over her entry time,’’ Shaw said.

“That was another standout.

“And there was Marcus da Silva from Cranbrook, who is coached by Rebecca Wheatley. He won the 16 years 100m free just over his PB. That was a standout as well.’’

One of the older swimmers who starred on the weekend was Knox Pymble club’s Gabriel Gorges, 20, who is coached by Leanne Speechley.

“He won the 200m free in 1.51.37 which was just a tick over his PB,’’ Shaw said.

“In the 200m 17 years and over IM he did 2.03.98.

“These guys are not tapered so these are good times.’’

Lillie McPherson swimming at an event before Christmas.

Joseph Hamson also stood out to Shaw.

“He won the 17 and over 100 free with a .33 drop from his entry time of 51.15,’’ Shaw said.

“He was second in the 17 and over 17 butterfly. He’s only 19 and coached by Nick Dobson at Knox Pymble

“And Hayden Hoang, the Australian 100m 200 backstroke age champ, won the 100m butterfly after training in the in the morning. He’s from SOPAC and 16.’’

Teenager Luke Higgs from Warringah Aquatic SC is another to watch.

Another youngster who showed good form at the event in Sydney was Rafaela Kopellou, 15, from SOPAC, who did a PB in the 200 fly of 2.16.29.

One swimmer even younger at just 14, produced a memorable swag of victories.

“Warringah’s Luke Higgs won the 14s 200 fly, 400m IM, 100 free, 400m free, 200 IM and 200 free,’’ Shaw said.

“Here was also second in the open 1500m free and was top 10 the in the 800 free.

“His brother Sam Higgs is 16 and won the 200m fly and 400 IM.’’

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