Lani Pallister Continues to Climb Freestyle Ladder; A 200 Freestyle Stunner Her Latest Showcase of Skill
Over the past week, Lani Pallister accomplished what was expected of the superstar at the Australian Selection Trials in Sydney. The 24-year-old claimed titles in the 400-meter freestyle, 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle, each of the events producing impressive times from an athlete who has long been part of the Aussie National Team, but has seen her profile significantly amplify over the past year.
This summer, Pallister will tackle the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships, those international events serving as bridges to next summer’s World Championships in Budapest, and then the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Pallister will be a favorite in the distance events at Commonwealths in Glasgow, while Pan Pacs will offer clashes with Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh in Southern California.
As stellar as Pallister performed in the longer events at the Sydney Aquatic Centre, an argument can be made that her finest showing was delivered during a runnerup effort in the 200 freestyle. Over four laps, Pallister clocked a time of 1:53.65, placing her behind only Mollie O’Callaghan (1:52.86), the reigning Olympic champion and a former world-record holder in the event.
Prior to the Aussie Trials, Pallister carried a personal best of 1:54.77 in the 200 freestyle, that time registered on the leadoff leg of Australia’s gold medal 800 freestyle relay at last summer’s World Championships in Singapore. That mark from last year slotted Pallister at No. 19 on the all-time performer list. After her 1:53-mid from last week, Pallister now shares the No. 5 position with McIntosh, who turned in her 1:53.65 at the 2023 World Champs.
Not surprising, Pallister was tremendous over the back half of her 200 freestyle. After going out in 55.45 for the opening 100 meters, she came home in 58.20. That finish included a split of 28.90 for her last lap, which was a half-second quicker than O’Callaghan, long known as one of the sport’s best closers.
It’s been a little more than a year since Pallister shifted her training into the hands of coach Dean Boxall at St. Peters Western, and to suggest the partnership has been anything but extraordinary would be an understatement. With Boxall guiding her workouts, and surrounded by an exceptional group of athletes, Pallister has taken a major step forward. At last year’s Worlds, she narrowly took silver behind Ledecky in the 800 freestyle, going 8:05.98 to move to another stratosphere. There was also a bronze medal in the 1500 freestyle. The 400 freestyle has seen Pallister crack the four-minute barrier and in the short-course pool, she is the world-record holder in the 800 free.
As for the 200 freestyle, it is simply another example of Pallister’s well-rounded freestyle talent. Obviously, her improved skill over four laps bodes well for the Australian 800 freestyle relay, which also boasts the power of O’Callaghan, but holds uncertainty concerning the other legs. Individually, it will be intriguing to see what Pallister can do in the 200 free. Scheduling and range make handling the 200 free through the 1500 free a difficult ask at the international level, but the potential of Pallister challenging the world’s best in the event is a storyline to follow on the road to LA28.
In the next few months, we’ll see what Pallister has to offer in global competition, particularly in enticing matchups with Ledecky and McIntosh. Certainly, expectations are high for what the Aussie might do next – both in the short-term landscape and beyond.
Lani Pallister (Top Times)
200 Freestyle – 1:53.65 (No. 5 All-Time Performer)
400 Freestyle – 3:58.87 (No. 5 All-Time Performer)
800 Freestyle – 8:05.98 (No. 3 All-Time Performer)
1500 Freestyle – 15:39.14 (No. 4 All-Time Performer)