Horwood Collects Bronze on Junior Worlds Debut

WA swimmer Jemima Horwood has picked up a bronze medal from the 2017 FINA Junior World Championships in the USA.

Horwood entered competition with a busy relay schedule in Indianapolis and it was in the final of the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay that she swam the third leg to help Australia to a bronze medal.

Elijah Winnington led Australia’s medal push clocking 49.66 as he handed over to Jordan Brunt. Brunt stopped in 49.22 to lead in Horwood, who kept Australia motoring with an impressive time of 54.89.

Eliza King was left to anchor the Aussie assault and she didn’t disappoint, returning 54.95 as the Australians posted a final time of 3:28.57 to hold off a stern challenge from Russia.

Gold went to Canada in both Junior World and Commonwealth record time with USA earning the silver medal.

Horwood and King teamed again as Australia finished fifth in the final of the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay which was again won by Canada over USA.

At 15 years of age, Horwood also swam in the final of the women’s 4x100m medley relay with Australia finishing sixth.

Completing a packed relay schedule, Horwood teamed with fellow West Aussie swimmer Taj Jones in the heats of the 4x100m mixed medley relay, with Australia narrowly missing qualification for the final in ninth place.

Jones, who was on junior world championship debut at 17 years of age, also swam in the individual men’s 50m and 100m backstroke events.

In the one-lap event, Jones qualified through to the semi-finals where he set the 12th fastest time of 26.08. In the 100m, Jones recorded the 21st ranked time of 57.30.

WA’s third debutant in Indianapolis was 16 year-old Jasmine Hopkins, with the Dunsborough raised swimmer contesting the 200m backstroke, where she set the 23rd fastest time of 2:19.24.