McKeown has an eye on medley
KAYLEE McKeown may have just one major championship under her belt but she and coach Chris Mooney are already planning for the next Olympics.
The Sunshine Coast teen – the younger sister of Commonwealth Games breaststroke gold medallist Taylor – was seen as a bolter when she made Australia’s team for last year’s world championships alongside her sibling at just 15.
She turned 16 at that meet, in Budapest, and celebrated with a world junior record in the 200m backstroke, finishing just outside the medals.
McKeown remains a major threat in the backstroke, having touched out world champion Emily Seebohm in the 200m at the Victorian state titles last month.
But it could be in another event that makes her mark.
McKeown has added the 400m individual medley to her Commonwealth Games trials program and will swim the event on the Gold Coast in April if she qualifies.
“I haven’t really swum it many times, I can probably count on my hands, really,” she said.
“It’s a different race, it’s definitely challenging but I’ll take the challenge and see how I go with it.
“We still focus on the 200m backstroke the most but IM (individual medley) is something we’ll look forward to going into 2020 and worlds next year.
“I’m just leaving it open and not closing any doors to it.”