Flynn Southam continues to prove he is one to watch ahead of the 2024 Olympics, pulling off a clean sweep of the sprint events at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships.
After being bestowed the honour of flag bearer for the opening ceremony in Hawaii, he went on to collect six medals over the event, as well as breaking two meet records.
The triple Birmingham Commonwealth Games gold medallist opened his campaign with a sensational performance in the 200m freestyle. His time (1.47.11) broke the Championship Record set by American Drew Kibler (1.47.65) at the 2018 Junior Pan Pacs.
The 17-year-old Bull Sharks swimmer was neck and neck with 15-year-old American talent Maximus Williamson for the first 100 metres before turning on the afterburners.
He also set a new benchmark in the 100m freestyle with a personal best time (48.23), defeating Team USA’s Thomas Heilman by a body length after Heilman had earlier taken down the US 15-16 national age group record.
On the final day of finals, the year 12 student at Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School shaved 0.03 seconds off his previous best time when he picked up another gold in the 50m event, defeating two Americans who tied for silver.
He also helped Australia win gold and set a new record in the boys 4x200m relay and claim two silvers in the 4x100m relay and 4x100 medley relay.
Bond University’s Director of Swimming Kyle Samuelson said Flynn’s form had been impressive considering the teenager is still getting used to the challenges of international travel.
“For him to really step up and deliver personal best times after traveling and being amongst the senior team in the UK, he is over the moon and we are really proud of him as well,” he said
“Moving forward he is going to need to race all the nations and Europe are getting stronger and stronger at the moment as well.
“But I think for him just being able to stand up and race people he’s never raced before in testing conditions, he will learn a lot from that.”
Year 10 Somerset College student Milla Jansen brought home one gold, three silver and a bronze. Her Championship highlight was winning the 50m freestyle (25.19) where she beat New Jersey swimmer Anna Moesch.
Jesse Coleman, who’s in year 12 at Kings Christian College collected three silver, including an individual medal in the 100m butterfly.
Bond Biomedical Science student Joshua Collett’s best result was fourth in the 50m freestyle final.
Bull Sharks swimmers contributed to more than half of Australia’s gold medals.
“It was really positive to see how they handled the environment over there and also how they stepped up for relays, they are such an important part of swimming for Australia,” said Samuelson.
The swimmers are now enjoying a well-earned break before turning their attention to the Queensland Championships in Brisbane in December.
FINAL RESULTS SUMMARY:
Flynn Southam
1st in the 100m Freestyle (A Final): 48.23 – Junior Pan Pacs record
1st in the 200m Freestyle (A Final): 1:47.11 – Junior Pan Pacs record
1st in the 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay: 7:13.07 – Junior Pan Pacs record
1st in the 50m Freestyle (A Final); 22.36
2nd in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay; 3:18.06
2nd in the 4x100m Medley Relay; 3:36.96
Milla Jansen
1st in the 50m Freestyle (A Final); 25.19
2nd in the 100m Freestyle (A Final); 54.36
2nd in the 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay; 7:55.85
2nd in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay; 3:39.04
3rd in the 4x100m Medley Relay; 4:05.84
9th in the 200m Freestyle (B Final); 1:59.44
Jesse Coleman
2nd in the 100m Butterfly (A Final): 52.23
2nd in the 4x100m Medley Relay: 3:36.96
2nd in the 4x100m Medley: 3:50.51
8th in the 200m Butterfly (A Final): 2:01.42
Joshua Collett
4th in the 50m Freestyle (A Final): 23.16
11th in the 200m IM (B Final): 2:03.76