Australia's Meg Harris has confirmed her status as the latest golden girl of Australian swimming with victory at the Pan Pacific championships. Just weeks after winning six gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Harris collected another for winning the women's 100m freestyle at the Pan Pacs.
Harris Edges Walsh in Tight Finish
Harris clocked 52.60 seconds to pip esteemed American Gretchen Walsh (52.78) in the final in Irvine, California on Thursday night (Friday AEST). Harris' Dolphins teammate Liv Wunsch (52.98) finished third.
The 24-year-old Harris reeled in American star Walsh in the last 50m – but didn't know she'd triumphed until told by Wunsch. "My coach said to don't leave anything in the water, so I put my head down and closed my eyes," Harris said. "I didn't even realise I had won until Liv told me."
Success Caps Overseas Stint
Harris' feat caps a stunningly successful overseas stint for the 2024 Olympic 50m freestyle silver medallist. "It has been a long trip," Harris said. "But I love racing and getting up and doing this. And a quick turnaround [between meets] has been a whole learning experience but I have loved every bit of it."
Relay Gold and More Medals
Australia, despite missing the injured Mollie O'Callaghan, saluted yet again in the women's 4x200m freestyle relay. The largely inexperienced team of Inez Miller, Lani Pallister, Hannah Casey and Milla Jansen touched ahead of the United States and Canada.
In the men's 4x200m freestyle relay, Australia's team of Max Giuliani, Kai Taylor, Charlie Hawke and Sam Short finished second to the US. Isaac Cooper, who was reprimanded by Dolphins hierarchy for going out drinking instead of attending the final night at the pool at the Commonwealth Games, claimed silver in the men's 50m backstroke.
In the women's 400m individual medley, Australia's Jenna Forrester finished second behind Canada's world record-holder Summer McIntosh. The Dolphins' Sam Williamson took bronze in the men's 100m breaststroke and Iona Anderson placed third in the women's 50m backstroke.
