By Tom Decent
Lani Pallister capped a breakout week at Australia’s swimming trials in Adelaide with a fourth personal best, while Shayna Jack fell short of Dolphins selection on the final night of racing ahead of next month’s world championships in Singapore.
With Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus taking a break from the sport, Pallister emerged from the shadows with a coming-of-age campaign, having moved to train under Dean Boxall at St Peters Western earlier this year.
After winning the 400m freestyle in a personal best and smashing the national record in the 800m, Pallister closed out her week with a dominant victory in the 1500m freestyle on Saturday night.
Her time of 15:39.14 slashed 10 seconds off her previous best and broke the Commonwealth record held by New Zealand’s Lauren Boyle.
It marked a rare sweep of lifetime bests in the 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle.
“It’s just nice getting a little bit of progress,” Pallister said on Channel Nine. “It’s one of those events where you can plateau for so long, but it’s nice to have a big drop like that. I’m just really stoked with the week that I put together.”
Australia’s final team selected for Singapore. Credit: Getty Images
Jack, meanwhile, had another uncharacteristic night. The Olympic finalist finished fifth in the women’s 50m freestyle, where Meg Harris (24.17 seconds) took top honours. It followed an eighth-place finish in the 100m freestyle earlier in the week.
After the highs of Paris and an interrupted preparation, Jack knew she was underdone. But missing selection will still sting for someone who, until recently, was among the first picked.
“Racing isn’t just about the result, it’s about the lessons, the growth, and the pride in showing up every time,” Jack wrote on Instagram after her race.
“Every race is an opportunity. Every moment is a step forward. And this… this is only the beginning. Congratulations to everyone heading to Singapore. Embrace the process.”
Australia will take a team of 40 swimmers to the world championships, held from July 27 to August 3 in Singapore.
The Dolphins won 13 gold medals at the last full world titles in 2023. Reaching even half that tally this time will be a challenge.
Dolphins squad for world championships
POOL
Abbey Connor, Abbey Webb, Alex Perkins, Ben Goedemans, Brad Woodward, Brendon Smith, Brittany Castelluzzo, Cam McEvoy, Charlie Hawke, David Schlicht, Ed Sommerville, Elijah Winnington, Ella Ramsay, Flynn Southam, Hannah Casey, Hannah Fredericks, Harrison Turner, Isaac Cooper, Jamie Perkins, Jenna Forrester, Jesse Coleman, Josh Edwards-Smith, Kai Taylor, Kaylee McKeown, Kyle Chalmers, Lani Pallister, Lily Price, Matt Temple, Max Giuliani, Meg Harris, Milla Jansen, Moesha Johnson, Mollie O’Callaghan, Nash Wilkes, Olivia Wunsch, Sam Short, Sienna Toohey, Tara Kinder, William Petric, Zac Stubblety-Cook.
OPEN WATER
Chelsea Gubecka, Moesha Johnson, Kyle Lee, Nick Sloman, Tayla Martin, Thomas Raymond.
Kaylee McKeown (50m and 200m backstroke), Mollie O’Callaghan (200m freestyle) and Cam McEvoy (50m freestyle) are the only Australians with world-leading times this year.
McEvoy’s status is uncertain, with the sprint veteran set to become a father in coming weeks and considering skipping the meet.
Elsewhere, Sam Short shapes as a contender in the 400m freestyle and could be a threat in the 800m if things go his way.
“Super, super confident after this week. Keen to race the best in the world,” Short said on Nine.
McKeown remains a strong favourite in the 100m backstroke, while Kyle Chalmers also looms as a threat in the 100m freestyle but will need to be sharp and likely have to drop a personal best.
Eight swimmers will make their Dolphins debut in Singapore, including 16-year-old breaststroker Sienna Toohey, 200m butterfly champion Harrison Turner, and 4x200m relay swimmer Charlie Hawke, who has been racing for the University of Alabama in the US college system.
“I am excited by what this team can do over the next four years,” said Dolphins head coach Rohan Taylor.
“This is the beginning of the third Olympic campaign I have been the head coach of, and this team has a strong nucleus in place.
“The end goal is LA … but to be great in LA this very young team … is going to learn what is needed on the global stage in Singapore.”
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