On Day 3 of the 2015 Indiana Senior State Championships, Crown Point Swim Club’s Hannah Kukurugya actually posted 2:10’s on two occasions in her 200 fly, one in prelims and then again in finals. She was 2:10.37 in prelims to set the meet record, and followed that up with a 2:10.62 in finals to take a win by nearly two seconds over Indiana University senior-to-be Haley Lips (2:12.58). Kukurugya, who is only 16 years old, holds the Indiana 15-16 age group record in this event at 2:09.68, while the 17-18 record is a 2:13.51 set all the way back in 1999 by Michala Kwansy. Kukurugya is ahead of her time, relative to the state of Indiana. Finishing in 3rd in the race was Duneland Swim Club’s Vanna Krause (full name Vanessa Krause, if you want to look her up in the SWIMS database) with a new best time of 2:14.21, which was her first Trials cut in that event. She’s been a 2:14.82, but it was two weeks before the Rio Trials qualifying time period began. Krause already has a Trials cut in the 100 fly.
Lips was back to win the 400 free in 4:15.14, her 4th best time ever. This meet is likely just a tune-up for Nationals, and Lips has impressed. Her 2:12 in the 200 fly is less than a second off of her best, and her 400 is just over three seconds off of her best. 2nd in the 400 was rising IU junior Stephanie Marchuk in 4:17.83, while Kukurugya grabbed third in 4:19.13. That time for Kukurugya was a best time by well over a second, and it breaks the 15-16 Indiana record in the 400 free. Kukurugya’s been taking down some old records; this one was set at 4:19.38 by Paula Steddick in 1985.
Lips’ and Marchuk’s IU teammate Blake Pieroni won the men’s 400 easily with a time of 3:56.90. He swam a sub-50 100 free earlier in the meet, and anchored the IUST 400 medley relay in 49.67 to end the session.
It was all IU this meet; incoming freshman Lilly King torched the field of the 200 breast, winning in 2:30.65 for a new meet record. King has swum well at this meet, considering she was swimming at the World University Games on the other side of the world just a week ago. She split a 30.36 breast leg on Newburgh Sea Creatures’ 200 medley relay to break a 15-18 NAG Record earlier in the meet. 2nd place finisher Emily Fogle touched right behind her at 2:31.14, a best time and new Olympic Trials cut for her. She hadn’t had a best time in the event since 2012.
OTHER WINNERS:
- M200 fly: Daniel Conway (Boilermaker Aquatics) | 2:03.71
- W100 back: Marie Chamberlain (IUST) | 1:04.07
- M100 back: James Beckman (Munster Swim Club) | 57.93
- M200 breast: Chandler Bray (ACST) | 2:17.72
I know Hannah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I remember watching Kukurugya last summer and she doesn’t fear at all of going out very hard. When she will hold on, the times will be very fast.
Pieroni’s 200 free should be very interesting today.