This report was contributed by Mike Thompson, a Canadian swim coach and journalist, who is one of the leading voices in Canadian swimming. Check out his blog at CoachMikeSwim.Blogspot.com, and his weekly Canadian-themed podcast here. You can also follow him on Twitter at@CoachMikeSwim.
The final day of Candian Summer Nationals began with a bang tonight, as Ottawa’s Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson dominated the women’s 200 Individual Medley with a final time of 2:14.37. Sydney Pickrem was second in 2:16.86 and there was a rare tie for third between Tianna Rissling of Medicine Hat, Alberta and Marni Oldershaw of the Oakville Aquatic Club (both 2:17.59). For the high schooler Seltenreich-Hodgson, that’s a hair faster than she was even at Canada’s Olympic Trials at the end of March.
On the mens side, 17 year old Jonathan Brown looked to better his morning swim (a morning best) of 2:05.16 and reach the podium, but finished 4th despite dropping his time further to 2:04.98. It was Jake Tapp of Arizona (by way of Langly BC) finishing first with a 2:03.01, followed closely by Bogdan Knezevic 2:03.67. The experience of Hassan Abdel Khalik gave him great freestyle finish, and while making the final turn well out of the top three, he pushed through the finish to out-touch the 17 year old, Brown.
The women’s 50 freestyle belonged to Chantal Van Landeghem of Winnipeg, Manitoba who finished 1st in a time of 25.16. Chantal looked very powerful finishing in a time that was better than her performance at the Candian Olympic Trials back n March. Sandrine Mainville finished 2nd with 25.56 and 17 year old Victoria Chan squeaked under the 26 second mark for third with a time of 25.93.
The mens 50 Freestyle, Edmonton hometown favorite, Luke Peddie received a big cheer from his team and fans with a victory in 22.77, his second very good sprint performance of the meet. Kelly Aspinal of Vancouver, who is having a great meet, finished second in a time of 23.16, touching out Toronto’s Alex Loginov, who finished 3rd with a time of 23.19.
The women’s 200 breaststroke is arguably Canada’s deepest event, but with Tera Van Beilen and Martha McCabe both in London for the 2012 Games and World Record Holder Annamay Pierce gone, the question of the night was who was going to be crowned National Champion tonight in the 200 breaststroke, and how fast would they be. Kierra Smith of Kelowna, BC looked very strong at the 100 wall turning first in a time of 1:11.15 which she says was not comfortable enough for the 200. “I thought, ‘this is going to be a long second half,” she commented afterwards. Ashley McGregor caught up by the 150m wall and had a slight lead into the finish. Point-Clairre, Quebec’s McGreggor finished 1st (2:27.24), Smith 2nd (2:27.55) and Sarah-Lee Harvey of Montreal was 3rd (2:31.33).
In the Mens 200 breaststroke, hometown hero, Richard Funk needed a win to sweep in the breaststroke events on the weekend. Funk took the race out strong in a 1:05, but was chased down the stretch by Andrew Poznikoff and Warren Barnes. Richard finished the race in an impressive time of 2:13.90, which is (unofficially) the 8th fastest time in Canadian History in the conclusion of a very impressive weekend for Funk. He was followed by Poznikoff (2:15.82) and Barnes (2:16.02).
In the women’s 800 freestyle 15 year old Danica Ludlow put early pressure on the fastest heat (which swam n finals) by posting 9:02.97 in the morning heats, but Sherry Liu (who has been in top position in many events this weekend), finally earned the gold in a final time of 8:49. Final results of the race are yet to be posted by Swim Canada.
In the Men’s 1500 freestyle, 15 year old Teddy Kelp posted the fastest time of the morning’s timed final heats with a significant best of 15:54.74, but it was Edmonton’s Kier Maitland, again, pushing to a great finish to his meet in a time of 15:24.20. Will Brothers & Eric Hedlin (15:31.59) of Island Swimming (15:34.42) finished 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
Swim Canada has decided to publish the Junior Pan Pac team and US Open team at later date.
Award Winners
High Point: Noemie Thomas & Richard Funk
Swim of the meet:
Ashley McGregor women’s 200BR
Richard Funk men’s 100BR
Top Women’s team: Vancouver Dolphins
Top Men’s Team: Vancouver Dolphins
Top Overall Team: Vancouver Dolphins
Oakville Aquatic Club (OAK) broke the National Age Group Record for men’s 15-17 year old 4×100 medley relay 3:50.66. Relay featured Omar Arafa, Evan White, Gamal Assaad and Bryce Kwiecien-Delaney.
“Great team effort and an amazing finish by Bryce. I’m proud of these guys,” commented OAK head coach Sean Baker.