Mayfair Pools Oceania Championships – Day 4 Heats

Main protagonists Australia and New Zealand are set for a showdown for the major honours on the final night of the Mayfair Pools Oceania Championships in Auckland today.

New Zealand swimmers set fastest qualifying times in three individual events and Australia in two and one relay on the last morning of heats at the West Wave Aquatic Centre.

The two nations share 16 titles each going into tonight’s final session.

Australia’s Nicholas Groenewald was fastest in heats of the 200m individual medley in 2:07.52 as he chases a fourth title after winning all three backstroke titles this week.

Kiwi Commonwealth Games swimmer Tash Hind was best in the women’s heats of the same event in 2:19.63 ahead of teammate Helena Gasson as she attempts to add to her win in the 400m individual medley.

In the battle of the 50m freestyle, New Zealand’s Cameron Simpson was fastest in 23.39 while Australia’s Brianna Throssell topped the women in 25.68 ahead of compatriot Ami Matsuo, the pair having won four titles between them this week.

Nineteen year old Julian Layton proved best in heats of the 200m breaststroke in 2:17.44 as Kiwis filled the fastest four spots while Australia pipped the New Zealand combination by less than one second in heats of the men’s 4x100m medley relay.

Tonight’s finals begin at 6.30pm.