Coach praises young stars
AUSTRALIAN swim coach Jacco Verhaeren has praised the efforts of young guns Elijah Winnington and Ariarne Titmus, saying their Queensland championships performances bode well for next April’s Commonwealth Games.
Winnington’s victory in the 200m freestyle, and second placing to Olympic champion Mack Horton in the 400m, showed the Gold Coast teen was on track to snare a place in his home Games.
At just 17, the Bond University squad member, who trains with Cameron McEvoy under coach Richard Scarce, is pushing some of the country’s best.
“It’s exciting to see somebody like Elijah Winnington continue his progress and is really knocking on the door of the national team,” an excited Verhaeren said.
“Of course, we all appreciate that that still needs to happen and he’s in particularly strong races like the 200m and 400m freestyle.
“There’s no easy races to make the team but he’s definitely put himself forward this week and again in training.”
Brisbane-based Titmus had already announced herself after making her international debut at this year’s world championships.
But her performances to win the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle treble this week continue to impress Verhaeren.
“Ariarne Titmus, of course, with a national record in the 400m freestyle shows great potential,” he said.
Titmus also set a national age record in the 200m freestyle and was confident she could go faster again at trials.