Mayfair Pools Oceania Championships – Day 3 Heats

Commonwealth Games-bound swimmer Matthew Stanley was on   form on the third morning of heats at the Mayfair Pools Oceania Championships in Auckland today.

Stanley, disappointed at his mistake which led to disqualification for the New Zealand team in the 4x200m freestyle relay last night, topped qualifiers for the 400m freestyle at the West Wave Aquatic Centre.

There was rivalry within the New Zealand camp with only two swimmers from each nation to qualify for the A Finals to be swum tonight.

Stanley led the way in a solid 3:55.52 with Ewan Jackson (3:56.33) out-touching teammate Dylan Dunlop-Barrett (3:56.58) for the second spot.

Australia’s Sacha Downing, an open water star who won the New Zealand 10km and 5km events in Lake Taupo in January, was fastest in heats of the 400m freestyle.

The 17 year old clocked 4:15.97 from compatriot Tamsin Cook with Samantha Lucie-Smith the best of the New Zealanders as fourth fastest.

Wellington’s Ben Walsh, who will compete in the Junior Pan Pacific championships later this year, was fastest in heats of the 50m breaststroke in 29.87, just ahead of Australia’s Jake Baggaley (29.98).

Kiwi Beckie Dooley, the 100m breaststroke winner last night, topped qualifiers in the 50m breaststroke in 33.92, the only swimmer under the 34 second barrier.

New Zealand champion Samantha Lee was fastest in heats of the 100m butterfly in 1:00.30 ahead of in-form Australian Brianna Throssell (1:00.81), while in the men Australian Nicholas Brown (54.94) was fastest ahead of Kiwi butterfly hope Shaun Burnett (55.33).

Australia’s Amy Forrester beat off the challenge from five New Zealanders in heats of the 200m backstroke. Forrester clocked 2:14.46 ahead of the leading Kiwi Caroline Baddock (2:14.87).

In the men Australian Nicholas Groenewald was best in the heats of the 200m backstroke in 2:05.58 as he chases a clean sweep of backstroke titles tonight.

Tonight’s finals begin at 6.30pm.