Evans Breaks All-Comers in Thrilling Night of Finals

WAIS swimming scholarship holder Blair Evans highlighted the first night of finals at the 2010 State Open Swimming Championships at Challenge Stadium yesterday taking two wins in personal best times.

Evans – who was competing for City of Perth swimming club – set a new WA All-Comers record when she touched home in 1:58.51mins in the 200m freestyle, and backed up that result with a personal best in the 400m individual medley.

WAIS Swimming Performance Manager Greg Hodge claimed that Evans’ results were a great start for the state championships.

“They were two fantastic swims from Blair, and were made more impressive given she wasn’t wearing the full body suit,” he said.

Fellow WAIS scholarship holders Adelaide Hart (2:07.42) and Jessica Mitchell (2:07.69) rounded out the places.

13 year-old WAIS starlet Brianna Throssell showed more than a glimpse of her future potential after the City of Perth product powered home for a strong win in the 50m butterfly in a time of 28:18secs. WAIS swimmer Gianna Leone finished second in 29:19.

The results were tremendous reward for City of Perth and WAIS coach Matt Magee, with both Evans and Throssell under his tutelage.

Another of Magee’s squad Craig Tucker, also claimed gold with a tidy win in the 100m breaststroke

WAIS scholarship holder Steve Neuwert of the West Sprint swimming club claimed bronze in the final of the men’s 50m butterfly.

Night two of finals shapes as a cracker, with Evans, Hart, Throssell and Amy Lucas contesting for bragging rights in the 100m freestyle at the Challenge Stadium pool.