Commonwealth Games, Day Three Prelims: Meg Harris Tops 100 Freestyle; Michael Houlie Speed Show Continues
Coming off a victory in the 200-meter freestyle, Mollie O’Callaghan will jumpstart the third session of prelims at the Commonwealth Games on Sunday morning. The 22-year-old will open defense of her title in the 100 freestyle at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, with the Australian now owning nine medals in Commonwealth Games competition. In addition to winning the 200 freestyle in Scotland, O’Callaghan helped her country to gold in the women’s 400 freestyle relay.
In men’s action, an intriguing duel is materializing in the 50 breaststroke. Aussie Sam Williamson claimed the gold medal in the 100 breaststroke on Saturday and will next chase a title in the breaststroke sprint. South Africa’s Michael Houlie will try to prevent Williamson from doubling, and has shown impressive speed during his outgoing laps of the 100 breaststroke. In one of his swims, Houlie set an African record of 26.38 for the 50 breaststroke.
Here is an event-by-event recap of the Day Three prelims:
Women’s 100 Freestyle
With minimal need to exert full energy during prelims, only one athlete broke the 54-second mark in the women’s 100 freestyle. Australian Meg Harris clocked 53.91 to secure the top seed for the semifinals, and was followed by defending champion Mollie O’Callaghan (54.37). Wales’ Theodora Taylor (54.80) and Scotland’s Evelyn Davis (54.81) were third and fourth in the morning.
Men’s 50 Breaststroke
After flashing early speed in the 100 breaststroke, South Africa’s Michael Houlie can now bring his focus to his prime event, the 50 breaststroke. Houlie easily led the prelims of the event, going 26.53 to finish within .15 of his African record. Houlie is expected to engage in a duel with Australian Sam Williamson, who won the 100 breaststroke on Saturday. Williamson moved into the semifinals of the 50 distance in 26.75.
Namibia’s Ronan Wantenaar was third in 27.13, while South Africa’s Chris Smith (27.17) and England’s Adam Ramsay-Peaty (27.27) followed.
Men’s 200 Backstroke
England’s Luke Greenbank was swiftest in the morning session of the 200 backstroke, as his time of 1:58.05 was about a half-second clear of South Africa’s Pieter Coetze, who went 1:58.48. Coetze has already pocketed the 50 backstroke title and is the heavy favorite to complete the backstroke sweep with additional crowns over 100 and 200 meters. In third was England’s Oliver Morgan (1:58.68).
Women’s 100 Butterfly
Australian Brittany Castelluzzo got off to a strong start in the 100 butterfly, as she turned in one of two sub-58 efforts for the morning. Castelluzzo touched the wall in 57.91 to earn the top seed for the semifinals, which will include Scotland’s Keanna Macinnes (57.93) in Lane Four of the first semifinal. Scotland also took third and fourth behind Ciara Schlosshan (58.13) and Lucy Grieve (58.29). Aussie Alex Perkins, the winner of the 50 fly, shared fourth with Grieve.
Men’s 100 Backstroke (S9)
The Australians will be chasing a sweep of the medals after locking down the top-three positions in the prelims of the S9 100 backstroke. Liam Togher (1:06.04) was first in the morning and will be joined in the final by countrymen Harrison Vig (1:06.28) and Timothy Hodge (1:06.40), a six-time Paralympic medalist.
Women’s 100 Backstroke (S9)
Gemma Sellick and Victoria Belando Nicholson handed Australia the top-two slots for the final of the women’s S9 100 backstroke. Sellick recorded a swim of 1:15.38 while Belando Nicholson checked in at 1:15.79. Also dipping under 1:16 was England’s Brooklyn Hale, who went 1:15.91 for third place.
Men’s 800 Freestyle Relay
With the powerful British squad broken up into specific countries, Australia will be the favorite for gold in the men’s 800 freestyle. The Aussies locked up the top seed for the final as the quartet of Will Petric, Brendon Smith, Elijah Winnington and Ed Sommerville produced a time of 7:08.66. Next was Scotland in 7:17.18, followed by England in 7:18.13.