Aussie Power Show: Jessica Ashwood (8:18.14) & Mitch Larkin (1:55.38) Star in Santa Clara

The Australian Trials for this summer’s Olympic Games are a couple of months in the past and with 60 days remaining until the Opening Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, the qualified athletes are doing all they can to ensure peak performance in August. Nonetheless, the Aussies didn’t come to the United States with the notion of performing at a subpar level.

Racing at the Santa Clara stop of the USA Swimming Pro Series, Australia left a fine impression on the George Haines International Swim Center, with Sunday night producing five victories for Dolphins. Leading the way was distance ace Jessica Ashwood, who won the 800 freestyle and improved on her No. 2 world ranking.

Finishing a lap ahead of the rest of the field, Ashwood stopped the clock in 8:18.14, slightly quicker than the 8:18.42 she registered at the Australian Trials. Ashwood went through the midway point in 4:10.39 and came back in 4:07.75 for a strong display of power. Only Katie Ledecky, at 8:06.68, has been faster this season.

While Ledecky generates times in another universe and will only be stopped short of the Olympic crown by an upset of gargantuan proportions, Ashwood is right in the mix for one of the minor medals, alongside the likes of Britain’s Jazz Carlin and New …

continue reading in source www.swimvortex.com