Swimming Day 7: Pearse Set To Take Flight

Col Pearse will make his Paralympic debut on Day 7 when he lines up in his pet event, the Men’s 100m Butterfly (S10). The 18-year-old Year 12 student set a new Australian record at the Australian Swimming Championships on the Gold Coast in April, clocking a time of 58.08. On his first international outing, Pearse exceeded his expectations and took home a bronze medal at the 2019 World Para Championships, so there’s no doubt he’ll be striving to make the final once again.

Having claimed silver medals as part of the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay (34 points), Ashleigh McConnell, Emily Beecroft and Ellie Cole will all return to the pool for the individual event, the Women’s 100m Freestyle (S9).

The race marks Beecroft’s and McConnell’s first individual event of the program. All three athletes are currently ranked within the top 10, however, in a highly competitive field it’s going to anyone’s race and one to watch.

After competing in the Men’s 400m Freestyle (S13) on Day 3 and placing fourth in the final, Braedan Jason will take to the blocks in the 100m Freestyle (S12). In a stacked field, Jason will be up against tough opposition from the Ukraine and Azerbaijan. With a seed time of 53.27 – which Jason clocked at the Australian Swimming Trials – it will see him enter the race ranked third fastest in the world for 2021.

Australia will have a trio of competitors in the Women’s 200m Individual Medley (S14), including birthday girl Ashley Van Rijswijk, Paige Leonhardt and Ruby Storm. Posting a time of 2:32.10 in April, Leonhardt currently sits second in the world rankings while Van Rijswijk, on her Games debut, also ranks in the top 10 for times recorded this year.

While for Storm, who picked up a bronze medal in the 100m fly, will benefit from the opportunity to once again race on the world stage.

Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson will also feature in the Men’s 50m Breaststroke (SB2) on Tuesday. Scooter claimed a silver medal in this event at the 2019 World Para Champs behind his Mexican counterpart, Arnulfo Castorena. Recently recording a personal best time of 1:00.22, Scooter will be hoping to capitalise on his momentum after securing a bronze in the Men’s 150m Individual Medley SM3 on Day 4.

The team’s youngest athlete, Isabella Vincent, who claimed a silver medal as part of the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay on Sunday night, is also back in action, this time in the Women’s 100m Freestyle (S7). Currently ranked within the top 10, Vincent will grab the chance to race the best in the world and see what she can produce.

Watch the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games live and free on Seven and 7plus from August 24 – September 5.

More swimmers in action on Day 7:
Men’s 200m Individual Medley (S14) – Liam Schluter
Men’s 50m Freestyle (S7) – Matt Levy
Men’s 400m Freestyle (S8) – Ben Popham
Women’s 100m Freestyle (S10) – Jasmine Greenwood

By: Danielle Balales, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 31 August 2021