The American roster for this year’s Itoman Japan-NCSA Junior National Team All-Star Duel Meet isn’t quite as strong as the one we saw travel to Japan last season, but Janet Hu is one of the American stars who had an impressive swim on Friday’s day 1 at the Golden West Country Club in Huntington Beach, California.
Hu, who trains with the newly re-branded NCAP club in the DC Area (formerly known as Curl Burke) had the only win for the Americans on Friday evening, as she won the long course 50 free in 26.11 – just a few hundredths from her own personal best time.
Japan’s results appear as though they may not be exactly “rested” for this early-season meet, as many of the swimmers were right-at or slower-than times from their appearances at the Junior Pan Pacs in 2010. Among the highlights for the Itoman team was a 2:15.33 from Rika Omoto to win the women’s 200 IM.
After one day of competition, Itoman took a lead over NCSA by a score of 86-28. Among the biggest names on the American team include Andrew Jovanovic (second in the 50 free in 24.34), Joseph Carbone, Katherine Drabot, and Emily Kopas.
The full American roster is available for download here.