More Medals for Evans at National Champs

Published On: 22 March 2010

WAIS swimmer Blair Evans shares a moment with Katie Goldman after winning silver in the 800m freestyle

WAIS swimmer Blair Evans has capped off her best ever Australian Swimming Championships with silver and two bronze medals in Sydney.

After claiming the 200m freestyle title earlier in the meet, Evans added three more medals to her collection in the 800m, 400m and 400m individual medley.

The City of Perth squad member was the fastest qualifier for the final of the women’s 800m freestyle but was pipped by a courageous swim from Queensland 17 year-old Katie Goldman – who knocked 11 seconds from her personal best to win in 8:22.83min.

Evans finished in second in 8:25.74min to earn herself a second individual event at this year’s Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India in October.

The busy championship schedule continued for Evans with the 18 year-old backing up to compete in the 400m freestyle, where she again produced good speed in a high quality field for bronze.

21-year-old Bronte Barratt stepped up in impressive fashion to race a near flawless 400m freestyle, posting an eye-catching 4:05.50min to be more than a second clear of her gold medal winning Olympic relay team mate Kylie Palmer (4:06.36) and 200m freestyle champion Blair Evans who was just 0.06 off her personal best, clocking an encouraging 4:07.12min.

Evans rounded off her medal collection with a second bronze in the 400m individual medley, clocking 4:40.49min to finish behind Queensland’s Stephanie Rice (4:33.04) and Olympian Samantha Hamill (4:40.44).

The 2010 Pan Pacific Championships is next on Evans agenda, with California, USA hosting the event from August 18-22.