Campbell’s shadow set for her own shot
THIS year may mark Cate Campbell’s official return to the pool but for Australian young gun Shayna Jack, the ex-world champion swimmer never left.
Campbell sounded her intentions ahead of next month’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games trials after a 12-month sabbatical by dominating the NSW swim championships.
It should have sounded alarm bells for Jack, the big beneficiary of Campbell’s post-Rio Olympic break by impressing at the 2017 world titles in Budapest in her absence.
But Jack was not surprised after Campbell spent her entire break training alongside the 19-year-old in Brisbane.
Jack is a squad member at Commercial Swimming Club which happens to also boast Campbell and her former dual world champion sister Bronte.
Suffice to say sprint champion Jack knows exactly what to expect from Campbell at the Commonwealth Games trials on the Gold Coast in February. And she was looking forward to the challenge.
“When I first started training at Commercial two years ago it was a bit intimidating they (Campbells) are the best in the world,” Jack said.
“But having them as training partners is a great experience – you race against them every day and you become friends with them.
“I have now learned to keep my goals in my head and no matter what try to be next to them every step of the way when racing.
“Cate has had her time off which is great for her and I am happy for her but not much has changed for me (with her return).”