Jack Love’s focus has been sharpened by a series of outstanding swims at the recent national championships in Auckland.
A bold showing in the National Aquatic Centre 50 metre pool has whetted the 18-year-old Blenheim Swimming Club athlete’s appetite for the forthcoming national short course champs, a meet where he tasted success last year, picking up a gold and two silver age group medals.
At the long course nationals, Jack showed he can foot it with the nation’s best.
The format this year meant combined both open and 17-18 year grades, with medals presented in both.
Jack competed in five events at the nationals, one each day. His highlight came in the 400m individual medley where he won the 17-18 title and placed third overall, his first open medal. He picked up a silver medal in the younger division in the 200m fly, was fourth in the 400m free, fifth in the 200IM and raced the 100m free., setting long course personal bests in each event.
“I was pretty happy with the open medal,” said Jack.
“Usually the Olympian Lewis Clareburt would be there, but he is in Europe training so that freed up things a bit.”
He was also proud of his efforts in the 200m fly B final, where he chased down and caught the leader in sight of the wall.
“That was pretty cool … apparently the crowd were going crazy – I could see him out of the corner of my eye and he basically stopped in the final 10 metres,” added Jack, who admitted the constant racing took its toll over the course of the champs.
“It was exhausting,” said Jack, “it was wake up, eat, swim, repeat basically.”
Jack said his results at the nationals were on par with his efforts at last year’s NZ short course champs but felt there are improvements being made and more to come, especially in short course racing.
“The Blenheim pool is a short course pool, 25 metres, which I am more used to, whereas the pool at the nationals was a 50-metre pool … although you still cover the same distance and it doesn’t sound like there is much change, it is like a completely different race in a shorter pool.
“I prefer short course racing – it is what I am used to, what my body is used to I guess.”
Jack atop the 400IM podium. Photos supplied.
He admitted there were improvement to be made if he wants to make his mark at the short course champs, which take place in Auckland during September.
“My turns need work but hopefully I can manage a big PB in what will be my big event of the year,” he said.
Jack will compete in the open grade at the short course event, a situation he welcomes, along with the chance to rub shoulders with the nation’s elite swimmers.
“It’s cool because I really like having strong competition, because I don’t always get that in my age group here”, he said.
“It’s also nice to know that someone else in New Zealand with the same objective is training as hard as I am. That keeps me working hard. I am also a bit obsessed with getting PBs, just improving.”
Jessica Lovell and Finn McNabb also travelled north for the recent champs, along with coach Shane Skehan, a man Jack credits for his recent improvements.
“He is great at spotting the little things – he just helps everyone out so much.
“I couldn’t do any of it without my [Blenheim Swim Club] team mates though, they just make training so much more enjoyable ... the club has a great culture. It is a fun place to be at.”
