Damien Boucheré featured in the Men’s 200m fly and the 50m breast-stroke while Daniel Halksworth had the daunting task of racing three of Australia’s fastest age group athletes in the Men’s 100m backstroke.
Having dipped under the 60-second barrier on Friday night for the event, Halksworth was left to fight it out for the minor places as Mike Jackson, of the City of Perth Swimming Club and who the Tigers have been training with, went on to lower his heat time of 53.86 and set a new WA State Record in the process.
Halksworth was also a surprise finalist in the Men’s 200m freestyle where he improved on his earlier heat time with a personal best of 1.55.06.
‘Hawky’s in his element here,’ coach Matt Magee said.
‘The level of competition is ideal for someone with his attitude, he loves to race.
His 100m freestyle time was a real statement and he is desperate to make the 4x100m freestyle relay at next year’s Island Games.
To back that 100 up with a solid 200 is very reassuring.’ In the girls section four Tigers made the finals of the girls 200m butterfly.
Despite qualifying fifth-fastest Amy Pallot was relegated to the B final as the rules allow only two visiting swimmers to compete in the A final and these spots went to other visitors.
Unfazed, Pallot went on to destroy the field in the B and set a new personal best time of 2.23.00.
Victoria Rebours placed second in 2.27.00 while Ashley Cope and Sarah-Jane Smith battled for the minor places and set new PBs in the process.
Ian and Stuart Black joined Halksworth in the final of the Men’s 400m IM last night, Stuart’s inclusion coming after team-mate Boucheré, who had qualified easily, stepped aside to allow Stuart his shot at mixing it with the big boys.
All three Tigers reduced their previous PBs by some margin but were left outside the medals.
Rosie Barrett and Victoria Rebours also featured in the Girls 400m medley final, placing 6th and 7th respectively.
The swimmers return to training this week before completing the final leg of this gruelling racing programme in Australia.
