F-Teamers are Ready to Race at Trials

The 2022 Australian Swimming Championships (May 18-22) are fast approaching, and our Funkita F-Team are undergoing their final preparations ahead of what’s sure to be an electric meet at the South Australian Aquatic and Leisure Centre. The country’s finest swimmers will assemble in a bid to be a part of the Dolphins team ahead of the busy international schedule. Swimmers must win gold in Adelaide to be assured nomination for both World Championships and Commonwealth Games, alongside meeting various criteria set by Swimming Australia.

Our Funkita veteran champ, Holly Barratt will be leading the charge. Holly was Australia’s sole representative at last year’s Short Course World Championships, and has enter the 50m and 100m Freestyle, Backstroke and Butterfly at Australian Trials. The 34-year-old admits the Trials will “be a busy meet” for her whilst World Champs and Commonwealth Games selections are “always the aim”. Barratt will defend her title in the 50m Butterfly which made her the oldest-ever Australian swimming champion.

Another Funkita star to look out for is Mikayla Smith in all three Breaststroke events. Having recently moved from her home club, Nunawading, Mikayla will be keen to see what she can post on the scoreboard in Adelaide. Regarding her preparation Mikayla told us that, “Obviously moving up to the Gold Coast to train under Richard Scarce at the Miami Swimming Club was a huge change for me, it's the first time I’ve moved away from home.” With World Championships and Commonwealth Games tickets up for grabs Mikayla’s certainly an exciting prospect for making a Dolphins Team. “Having had great swims at both Victorian and NSW State Champs, I'm feeling confident coming into these trials, I’ve put a really solid training block in and I'm excited to see what I can do.”

Similarly, having moved to Queensland this year, another Funkita athlete Jemima Horwood has enjoyed her new training environment at USC, Sunshine Coast. Swimming the 50m,100m and 200m Freestyle events Jemima will be right in the mix with Australia’s best swimmers. When asked her favourite thing about competing at the Trials Jemima told us, “I love racing after a hard season of training and watching the hard work pay off. I also love watching all my teammates and friends succeed and make teams.”

The Funky Trunkers will be lead by Tokyo Olympians Brendon Smith and Isaac Cooper. Brendon will be competing in both Medley distances along with the 200m Freestyle in what looks like a bid to earn a spot on the Freestyle Relay team, with a top 6 place required.

Backstroke Olympian and fellow F-Team athlete, Isaac Cooper is ready to race, after what has been “by far the most intense prep he’s ever had.” He will race his favoured 50 and 100m against Aussie record holder Mitch Larkin, whilst also trying his hand in the Freestyle sprint double and a 50m Butterfly. Cooper says, “I know I have the ability to swim faster than last year, I just need to put everything I've learned in the last year into practice.”

The Australian team for World University Games team, has opted to compete at US Nationals in California, after Swimming Australia announced the withdrawal of the team in March. This brings huge opportunities to Funky Trunks sprint kings Jamie Jack and Ashton Brinkworth, with Ashton also a serious contender for a Freestyle Relay spot in the Commonwealth and World Championships teams.

A notable absence from the Aussie Trials is Tokyo silver medallist and distance Freestyle Champion, Jack McLoughlin. Jack has said he is “taking some time away from the pool this year to focus on finishing University and getting some work experience.” Although his talents will be missed this year, he has promised to be back in the water in 2023 in preparation for Paris.

Keep an eye on our socials @funkitaswimwear for exclusive content and updates from the 2022 Australian Swimming Championships.