Cody Simpson “Like A Kid In A Candy Shop” Says Coach Michael Bohl
Pop star-turned swim-star Cody Simpson has taken another major step towards his dream of becoming an Olympic class swimmer – qualifying for tonight’s 100m butterfly final at the Australian Olympic Trials in Adelaide.
Simpson lined up in the opening heat of the 100m butterfly this morning – finishing third to Nunawading’s National champion and Toyko qualifier, Matt Temple in 52.84 – taking 0.79 off his previous best time.
Temple – the National champion and Tokyo qualifier over 200m butterfly, who will also join Kyle Chalmers in the 100m freestyle, is the fastest qualifier for tonight’s final in 51.79.
Other finalists are dual Olympian David Morgan (Rio and Tokyo) and Tokyo relay mainstay Alexander Graham as well as National butterfly champions Shaun Champion and Bowen Gough.
The Top 8 Qualifiers are:
- Matt Temple 51.79
- Shaun Champion 52.15
- David Morgan 52.51
- Bowen Gough 52.55
- Nic Brown 52.83
- Cody Simpson 52.84
- Alexander Graham 52.86
- Edward Marks 53.32
Coming into the meet, Simpson had his focus on making the 100m ‘fly final and buoyed by his personal best in the heats of the 100m freestyle earlier in the meet.
GOGGLEBOX: Cody Simpson has been non stop on his transition from stage to pool deck. Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr (Swimming Australia).
“My goal this meet is to try to make that final in the 100 fly….as long as I’m improving, that’s all I can really ask for. As long as I’m doing PBs, which I’ve been doing every time so far,” said Simpson, who was ranked 13th coming into the meet.
The 24 year-old’s well documented journey with US-base Australian coach, Olympian Brett Hawke on the Amazon Prime Video “Head Above Water” has brought a new-found profile to the sport – and few fans as well.
One of the poster boys of these Trials, with his image front and centre from the airport to the shopping centres and the forecourt SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre.
Simpson, who said he has been non stop on his transition from stage to pool deck, will spend a week on a surfing safari after returning to the Gold Coast tomorrow, but then its back into it for the Short Course season, stepping up the hard yards.
Simpson is under the direction of one of Australia’s most respected Olympic coaches in Michael Bohl, at Griffith University.
“Cody’s been good, he’s like a little kid in a candy shop, I think he’s excited to be back,” said Bohl
“Over the course of the last couple of months, it would have been a mistake to throw him into a big hole so we just tried to keep the theme pretty light.
“He’s been doing eight sessions a week, which is about what he was doing over in the US, but probably a little bit further than what his (US-based coach) Australian Olympian Brett Hawke was giving him but I think he’s adapted really quickly, really well and he’s come up with some good swims.
“At his last competitive meeting, when he was maybe 13 or 14 years of age, was a long time ago so he’s revelling in, watching some of the superstars here competing and trying to learn and watch what they’re doing. He’s very excited with the opportunity to get in and swim at this level.
“I think he’s looking forward to going on a week’s break, he’s going to probably go down on a surfing safari somewhere, he hasn’t done much of that since he’s been here so he’ll take a week off at least, and then come back in and just maybe work towards short-course. Short-course is a little bit later in the year so we’ll see what he can do there.
“So (the) Short-course (season) then probably Queensland State Titles in December so just really following the course that everyone else is taking.
“He won’t be going back to the US, he’s going to stay firmly embedded here so we’re just trying to keep. I guess getting better is the name of the game.”
In other events today:
Four-time Olympian Emily Seebohm (Griffith University) tops the qualifiers in the women’s 200m backstroke ahead of Kaylee McKeown (USC Spartans) and Minna Atherton (Moreton Bay).
- Emily Seebohm 2:1036
- Kaylee McKeown (2:10.52
- Minna Atherton 2:11.02
- Jess Unicomb 2:11.69
- Abbey Webb 2:12.89
- Tahlia Thornton 2:13.16
- Emilie Muir 2:14.00
- Maleleine Hardy 2:16.20
The women’s 50m freestyle saw Commonwealth record Cate Campbell lock in top spot in a Games qualifying time of 24.04 (under the 24,46) ahead of her 100m conquerer Emma McKeon (24.46) right on the QT.
The 50m freestyle final is:
- Cate Campbell 24.04
- Emma McKeon 24.46
- Holly Barratt 24.51
- Meg Harris 24.64
- Madi Wilson 24.66
- Bronte Campbell 24.76
- Mollie O’Callaghan 24.85
- Abbey Webb 25.19
In the men’s 50m freestyle TSS Aquatic team mates, Cameron McEvoy and Grayson Bell share the top spot in 22.08 (0.31 outside the QT).
The men’s 50m freestyle final is:
- Grayson Bell 22.08
- Cameron McEvoy 22.08
- James Roberts 22.18
- Ashton Brinkworth 22.24
- Jack Cartwright 22.33
- Matt Targett 22.37
- Thomas Nowasowski 22.53
- William Stockwell 22.53
That shot is wild!
Crazy awesome picture!!!!