Ten Bond University squad swimmers are in action at the Australian Short Course Championships in Sydney, and they have not wasted any time impressing on the opening day.
Russian Mark Nikolaev, swimming for the Bull Sharks, clocked the fastest heat swim (50.79) in the 100m backstroke. Commonwealth Games swimmer Ben Armbruster swam eighth fastest overall (52.45) to also secure his place in tonight’s final.
Bond’s world short course record holder Minna Atherton (pictured above) is through to the final of the 100m women’s backstroke after finishing fourth overall in the heats (58.17). Layla Day also booked her ticket after swimming sixth fastest (59.00).
Australian compatriots Mollie O’Callaghan and Kaylee McKeown are ranked third and second respectively in the final, behind America’s Beata Nelson (57.03).
Bull Shark Laura Taylor has qualified sixth fastest for the 200m freestyle final (1.57.51), fellow Aussie Madison Wilson will be the one to beat (1.53.76).
In the 100m breaststroke preliminaries, alumna Jenna Strauch was the best of the women (1.05.48), Bond’s Mia O’Leary will be sixth fastest for the final (1.07.20).
The event, which finishes Sunday, is a qualifier for the World Short Course Swimming Championships in December in Melbourne.
For more heat results head to Swimming Australia’s website https://www.swimming.org.au/events-results/events/australian-short-course-championships-2022.
Full list of Bond squad swimmers: Karl Albertyn, Ben Armbruster, Minna Atherton, Layla Day, Holly Hembling, Mark Nikolaev, Mia O’Leary, Edward Speller, Laura Taylor, Jesse Welsh.