#GC2018 Day Three: Western Australians Add to Medal Haul
Day three of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games is now done and dusted bringing a number of successes for all of Western Australia’s competitors whether it be in the pool, on the track, on the court or on the field.
SWIMMING
It’s been another highly successful day for our swimmers, highlighted by a bronze medal going to Katherine Downie and a gold to Brianna Throssell.
Katherine started the day by coming second in her heat of the Women’s SM10 200m Individual Medley, finishing in a time of 2:35.49.
Backing up again this evening the individual medley swimmer breezed in to the wall four seconds faster than she had this morning at 2:31.81.
0.02 seconds away from winning silver, Downie claimed bronze and her second Commonwealth Games podium finish.
After earning a bronze medal last night in the Women’s 200m Butterfly final Throssell returned to the pool this evening as part of the Women’s 4x200m Freestyle relay team.
Reigning champions, the team managed to maintain the lead throughout the whole race, storming home to earn victory in 7:48.04, a new Games record.
Zac Incerti became one of Australia’s newest Commonwealth Games debutants as he took to the pool to contest the Men’s 50m Backstroke.
A strong start to the day saw Incerti finish first in his heat with a time of 25.05 seconds, the fastest time recorded in the preliminary round.
Returning to the pool tonight for the semi-finals the backstroke swimmer finished second, qualifying for tomorrow’s final with the third fastest time.
Western Australia’s final competitor in the pool for the day was Holly Barratt competing in the Women’s 50m Butterfly.
After finishing first in her heat she backed up in the semi-final coming second in a time of 25.88 seconds.
HOCKEY
The Kookaburras began their Games campaign today, taking on South Africa at the Gold Coast Hockey Centre.
After a slow start the side kicked it up a gear as they returned to the field in the second quarter, adding their first goal to the board.
The second half saw the men’s hockey side assert their authority scoring another three goals whilst keeping their opposition off the board.
CYCLING – TRACK
Sam Welsford has put out another stellar performance, coming form behind to win his second gold medal of the Commonwealth Games.
In a field of 17, Welsford came out on top at the end of the Men’s 15km Scratch Race final.
Keeping pace near the front of the pack for the majority, Sam kept a bit in the tank for when it mattered most powering home to take the lead on the final bend.
Also competing was fellow Western Australian Cameron Meyer.
Welsford and Meyer finished third and fourth in their heat, respectively, earlier in the day to earn their positions in the final.
Meyer finished the day with tenth place in the final.
BASKETBALL
The Boomers’ second match of the Games was hard fought from start to finish, eventuating in a six point victory over New Zealand.
Australia started out the weaker side, falling behind by five points at half time.
Entering the second half the home team came out with a new sense of urgency beating their opposition in both quarters, resulting in the overall win.
Western Australia’s Cam Gliddon was effective for his side under the ring pulling in one offensive and two defensive rebounds.
Tomorrow is set to be another big day for our Western Australian athletes including the first appearance from 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games Shooting gold medallist, Laura Coles.
- Annika Lee-Jones