Lethal Leisel Jones Sets Two Australian Breaststroke Record in One Swim at Aussie Age Group Champs

By Ian Hanson

SYDNEY, April 12. OLYMPIC Games and World Championship silver medalist, Leisel Jones, tonight sent a message to Manchester: "Lethal Lesiel" is about to hit town in a hurry.

The brilliant Queensland teenager set two new Australian records in one swim in a stunning performance on night four of the Australian Age Swimming Championships at the Sydney Aquatic Centre – the same pool where she launched her international career with her silver medal swim at the 2000 Olympics and where she established her previous Australian record.

Jones broke her own Australian mark of 1:07.49 with a time of 1:07.31 to take gold in the girls 16 years 100 metre breaststroke and, in an amazing first 50 metres, clocked 31.66 to set a new 50 metre Australian record. The old 50 metre record was 31.71, set by Victorian, Brooke Hanson at last year's World Championships in Fukuoka.

For the Redcliffe Leagues Lawnton 16-year-old, it was in the same pool at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games that she set her first Australian record, lowering the then, former World Champion, Samantha Riley's mark of 1:07.66 to claim the Olympic silver medal.

"Where did that come from?" a stunned Jones said after clocking the fifth fastest time in the world," I felt good and just went for it."

"I was actually disappointed with my swim at the Commonwealth Games Trials in Brisbane when everyone was telling me I was going to swim a fast 100 and then it didn't happen – I was thinking about it too much.

"Tonight I wasn't thinking about it at all and and look what happened – I won't start thinking about the 200m which I swim tomorrow – I'll just see what happens."

The United club of New South Wales celebrated yet another win for 13 year-old, Nic Donald clocking up his fourth gold tonight in the 50 metre freestyle. Touching the wall in 25.96, Donald relegated Mackay hopeful, Michael Elliot (26.26) to silver with Bobby Jovanoich (26.33) of Swan Hills, Western Australia rounding out the podium placings.

The Commonwealth Games looks set to be a successful Australian team debut for teenager Kelli Waite after she stopped the clock in her 200 metre breaststroke final in 2:30.84. The Yeronga Park 17 year old was followed by sprinting specialist, and Manchester teammate, Sarah Kasoulis in 2:34.17 with Tasmanian, Kate Young taking home the bronze in 2:37.27.

Queensland 'golden child', Nicholas Sprenger added his fourth Australian Age Championship title in an impressive night of swimming for the Commercial club 16 -year-old. Sprenger took out the 100 metre freestyle in 52.21.

The Brothers club of Queensland claimed the top two placings in the boy's 17 -18 years 200 metre breaststroke with Sam Brodie making a strong comeback from recent illness to win the event in 2:19.56 ahead of club mate and recent Australian World Short Course team member, Brenton Rickard. South Australian Mitchell Bacon of Norwood touched in 2:21.63 for the bronze.

Female sprint freestyle specialist, Marieke Guehrer had no trouble disposing of her opposition in the 16 years 100 metre event, sprinting away for the win in 57.47.

It was 'Chandler time' at the Sydney Aquatic Centre again tonight with the Telstra Dolphins' youngest Commonwealth Games team swimmer, Alice Mills, notching her fifth gold medal of the Australian Age Championships in the 200 metre freestyle.

The 15 year-old-clocked 2:03.01 for the win ahead of club mate, Nadine Loof in 2:04.32 with Sarah Paton of Telopea, New South Wales in third place.

The pure dominance continued for Chandler in the girls 17-18 years 100 metre freestyle with the club taking yet another trifecta finish to fill the podium. Commonwealth Games team member, Jodie Henry came home in a hurry after being left at the start to post an otherwise impressive 56.16 to take the gold ahead of teammates Cassie Hunt (56.84) and Teagan Wilkie (57.22)

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