Aussies Henry Allan, Hayley Mackinder Off to World Junior Champs

Aussies Henry Allan and Hayley Mackinder are Rising Stars to Watch at World Junior Champs

Australian will send a squad of 30 athletes to the World Junior Championships in Romania, including backstroker Henry Allan and breaststroker Hayley Mackinder. The team was selected back in April, based on performances from the Australian Age and Open Championships. The World Junior Champs are scheduled for August 19-24.

Allan is a rising backstroke star in the Australian youth ranks, a positive development for the future of the Dolphins’ 400 medle relay. Earlier this year, Allan cracked the 25-second barrier in the 50 backstroke (24.88) and delivered a 53.73 performance in the 100 backstroke. The time in the 100 backstroke made him one of the 10-fastest Australians in the history of the event.

On the women’s side, Mackinder is emerging as an elite performer in the breaststroke events. Mackinder owns best times this year of 1:07.61 in the 100 breaststroke and 2:26.55 in the 200 breaststroke.

Sienna Toohey was initially named to the team for World Juniors, but she was a late addition to the World Championships in Singapore and will not race in Romania.

Here is a look at the athletes and coaches for Australia at the World Junior Champs.