Barrett’s time of 9.10.62 was a full four seconds inside her own record.
The 17-year-old never looked like faltering in a powerful display.
The performance was all the more special as Barrett had not intended on entering! Said coach Matt McGee: ‘It was a last-minute descision, Rosie has a pretty busy schedule for these Champs and at the time she didn’t think the 800m would fit into the plan.
It wasn’t until this morning that Australian Olympic coach Bernie Mulroy suggested we apply for a late entry, I’m glad we did and Rosie didn’t leave her new fan Mulroy dissappointed.’ Teamate Victoria Rebours (14) obliterated her previous best by more than 20 seconds in a heat of the U15 800m freestyle, blowing he opposition away to win in 9.29.36.
Ashley Cope and Sarah-Jane Smith also featured, but both found the going tough.
Stuart Black was Tigers’ sole representative in the men’s 800m and he anhilated his heat to snatch a silver medal, with his PB of 8.53.30 (setting new best times at the 200m and 400m marks) lowering the club record by a considerable margin.
Said McGee: “”Stewy just went for it tonight, he put his head down and just cranked it up.
Taking on Australian Olympic trials finalists can be a daunting task but he did himself and his coach Paul (du Feu) proud.’ In the men’s 4x100m free, Daniel Halksworth, Stuart and Ian Black, and Damien Boucheré (the latter setting a PB of 54.03) placed sixth before being disqualified for a faulty changeover.
The girls team of Amy Pallot and Lauren Le Mière joined Smith and Barrett to place fourth in the girls 4x50m Freestyle relay.
