The coach of Sunshine Coast swim sensation Kaylee McKeown says she’s already put last week’s world record-breaking performance behind her as she targets the Tokyo Olympics.
The 19-year-old wowed audiences at the selection trials in Adelaide, where she set a new mark in the 100m backstroke (57.45sec), beating American Regan Smith’s 2019 effort by 0.10sec. She also smashed the Commonwealth record in the 200m backstroke (2:04.28).
But Chris Mooney said she had already moved on from the feats in an effort to prepare in earnest for the Games in a month’s time.
“She celebrated a little bit, but she has already put the lid on that meet,” he said.
“We have to switch from side A to side B, and side B is completely different.
“It’s one that makes the difference between celebrating the fact you are an Olympian to celebrating the fact you’ve gone to the Olympics and done your job.
“And she gets that.”
Mooney, who is also a coach in the national team, said McKeown was focused and determined.
“She’s aware that it takes two types of hunger, one to get there (into top form), but another one to stay there.
“She’s very proficient, she trusts the processes, she works diligently, she doesn’t shy away from the pain and she doesn’t take her eyes off the one percenters.”
Mooney said the successful trials proved she was on the right track, but there was still plenty of work to do.
“It’s given us confidence that the processes and plans are working,” he said.
“We couldn’t ask for a better bout of confidence … that what we’re doing is working.
“It’s hard work to stick to a plan and be mindful of all the little things that matter, but when you get a result it does give you confidence that it is working.
“So, let’s keep it going, let’s keep it rolling and if we get that right, we’re going to be happy no matter what because we’ve done our best.
“We’re one step closer and we’re excited about that, but the job’s not done yet.”
McKeown will continue her preparation in Cairns, where warmer conditions will provide a more suitable training environment ahead of the Games.
“We’re going there to rip it apart and get back to those one percenters and take our training to the next level,” Mooney said.
The Spartans were in the thick of the action at the selection trials.
And Mooney said the meet was an extraordinary one.
“I was just very fortunate to be there,” he said.
“I’m a swimming coach but also a swimming fan. To be there and witness some of the swimming was unbelievable.
“It was without a doubt the fastest selection meet I’ve been too, and you could feel the energy and excitement, but more importantly you could feel the opportunity.”
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He said the selected national squad was a strong one.
“We had really good performances across the board and I think we’ve put together a really solid, strong Australian swim team.”
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Several Spartans came close to selection, finishing just outside the top two in finals or just missing the qualifying time.
“We haven’t got a big (USC) team but we’ve got a really strong team,” Mooney said.
“It was probably the best I’ve seen them … with personal bests in almost every swim.”
Phoebe Hines was among those just to miss out on selection, despite finishing more than two seconds ahead of the qualifying time. She was fifth in the 800m freestyle.
“In any other country, she would be a walk-up starter,” Mooney said.
Five Sunshine Coast swimmers, including four from the Spartans, were selected in the Australian Paralympic swim team following the trials.
