2011 Polish Nationals got off to a rocking start on day 1, and though day 2 didn’t quite match that in terms of World-Rankings, there were still some fantastic swims, including several records that went down. With all of the K’s, W’s, Z’s, and J’s that money can buy, let’s dive into the second day.
Besides the usual suspects (like Pawel Korzeniwoski), the day was highlighted by Polish swimmers who have made huge improvement training in the United States for the last year, and young swimmers in general. In fact, only 2 of the day’s 8 events were won by swimmers born in the 80’s. If you were to compare that to Nationals in many countries (including the United States), you’d notice a huge difference in those ratios.
In the men’s 200 free, absent National Record holder Pawel Korzeniowski, nobody earned a qualifying spot for Shanghai, however 17-year old Michal Poprawa set the polish 17 & under record with his 2nd-place finish of 1:51.28. That time is very comparable to what some of America’s brightest young stars (like Kip Darmody and David Nolan) were going at a mid-season taper meet when they were 17. The winner of that race was Mateusz Slawinksi in 1:50.56, and he has a strong chance to be a part of a Polish 800 free relay with finaling potential at World’s.
Korzeniowski would later step up with a big time of 4:16.52 to win the men’s 400 IM. That time currently ranks him 15th in the world this year, and puts him easily through to the World Championships. Marcin Cieslak took his second silver medal of the meet (after the 200 fly) in 4:24.91, which is a career-best time for him.
Cieslak, who just finished up his freshman year at Florida, was bested in the medal standings on day 2 by Marcin Tarczynski, who just finished his freshman year at Cal (though in fairness, Tarczynski is about 19 months older than Cieslak). The latter of the two took gold in the 100m backstroke in 54.82. After a slow opening 50, Tarczynski (54.82) fought back to overcome National Record Holder (and 200 champ) Radoslaw Kawecki (54.91). This moves them both into the top 30 in the world, and just missed the Polish Record.
In the women’s 200 free, yet another young star shone brightly when Diana Sokolowska won in 2:02.11. That time won’t get her to the World Championships, but considering she just turned 15 in February, things are definitely looking up for her. That wasn’t even her fastest time this year: she swam about two-tenths better at a meet in Greece in April.
Alijca Tchorz won the women’s 100 back in 1:01.97, while Klaudia Nazieblo, who set the National Record a week after her 16th birthday in 2009, finished in 3rd in 1:02.90. Karolina Urbanska crushed her own personal best by 3 seconds to win the women’s 400 IM in 4:52.55.
The 50 breaststrokes were relatively lackluster races on both sides of the meet. The men’s race was won by David Szulich in 28.20, and the women’s by Ewa Scieszko in 32.44.
In his 3rd swim of the session, Korzeniowski led of the 400 free relay in 50.71, and three other swimmers (Radoslaw Kawecki, Michal Poprawa, and Mateusz Slawinski) all split 50-points.
For Full, Live Meet Results, Click Here.
Translations:
Dowolny = Freestyle
Motylkowy = Butterfly
Grzbietowy = Backstroke
Klasyczny = Breaststroke
Zmienny = IM
Eliminacje = Prelims
FInal = Final
Wikniejsze Serie = Slow Heats
Najszybsza Seria = Fast Heat
Kobiet = Women
Mezczyzn = Men