New Zealand Short Course Championships: Corey Main Earns World Championships Cut

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, September 30. THE New Zealand Short Course Championships kicked off in Wellington this weekend with World Championship Roster spots on the line. Corey Main, a 17 year old from the Howick Pakuranga Club, became the first qualifier on the first night of action.

Main won the men's 100 backstroke event in 52.45, just clipping the World Championship A cut to be put on the New Zealand roster for the meet in Turkey in December. He also won his first national title in the event. Main cleared Kurt Crosland, who took second in 52.50. Camerone James placed third in 55.21.

“I can't get my head around it. To have gone under the qualifying for the world championships is fantastic,” Main said. “My aim was to come here this week and keep improving but I was not expecting to get under the qualifying. My big goal is the road to Rio in 2016 and this will be a big stepping stone. It will be amazing to race against the best in the world and see just where I stand. To win my first national open title is fantastic to.”

Olympian Matt Stanley just missed his A cut in the men's 200 free with a winning time of 1:45.23. Ewan Jackson finished second in 1:46.29, while Matthew Hutchins took third in 1:46.47. Hutchins returned in the men's 100 fly with a 55.10 for the win. Issac Foote placed second in 55.31, while Ashley Townsend picked up third in 55.41.

Ashton Baumann edged Jeffrey Arono-Tuifana'e, 1:00.38 to 1:00.49, in the men's 100 breast. Ben Walsh touched third in 1:02.23. Kate Godfrey topped the women's 400 IM in 4:43.88, while Emily McGill finished second in 4:47.63. Kelly Scammell pocketed third in 4:51.94.

Jane Ip bested Kendall Reidy, 32.30 to 32.80, in the women's 50 breast with McGill earning third in 32.83. Samantha Lee raced to a 2:10.05 for the women's 200 fly title. Sophia Batchelor took second in 2:11.81, while Charltte Webby wound up third in 2:12.63.

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