Selection goal for teen star
HE’S facing some of the biggest names in Australian swimming but that’s no deterrent for Gold Coast young gun Elijah Winnington, who has “expectations” he can make the Commonwealth Games team.
Winnington, 17, won three medals at the world junior championships in the US earlier this year but it was his performance in the 200m freestyle that underlined his real potential.
The Bond University swimmer took bronze in the event in a time faster than that set by Olympic 400m gold medallist Mack Horton to win the national title in April.
Winnington will line up in a crack 200m freestyle field tomorrow that includes Horton, Olympic 100m champion Kyle Chalmers and Bond University clubmate Cameron McEvoy.
“You’ll find this year that a lot of guys from Victoria and NSW are all coming up because it’s a very major point in the preparation for Comm Games and you need to get some major hit- outs for racing,” Winnington said.
“Especially the 200m on that first night of competition ( tomorrow), the line- up is basically an Australian championships line- up.
“It’s good to get that experience under my belt for when Comm Games trials comes around in February.”
Winnington’s times put him on the cusp of selection in the 200m freestyle relay squad and he is in contention for an individual place in the 400m.