The Middle Tyger YMCA got off to a hot start at the 2013 YMCA Short Course Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina this morning, as their girls’ squad tries to repeat as champions.
They were led by 15-year old Katrina Konopka, who took the top seed in the women’s 50 freestyle in 22.77. That put her .01 seconds ahead of Maddie Rusch from the New Canaan Y in Connecticut.
In the men’s version of the same race, Middle Tyger’s Robert Borowicz tied for the 2nd seed in 20.52 with Ryan Held, but both were behind Ian Gordon from Pabst Farms, Wisconsin, in 20.49. That shaves a few hundredths off of the best time for the Minnesota commit.
In the women’s 200 breaststroke prelim, Bethany Leap from the Sarasota YMCA (another history powerhouse team at this meet) won the 200 breaststroke in 2:11.85. That breaks an 11-year old YMCA National Championship Record in the race that was set by Amy Wheatley in 2002. This will be a young final – she’s only 16, and the 3rd-seeded Savanna Faulcon from Middle Tyger went 2:13.52 at only 14 years old. That time ranks her 8th all-time among American 13-14’s in this race.
Prelims of the men’s 200 breaststroke on the men’s sidewas led by a scorching full-second time drop from Eric Ronda of the Wilton Wahoos. He’s another name in what is becoming a really impressive Harvard recruiting class. He’ll be chased in finals by Greg Han from the Wilton rivals at the Cheshire Y. Don’t sleep on the 5th-seed Conner McHugh from Door County, either. He’s the best 100 breaststroker in this field.
And finally, Andrew Appleby took the top seed in the 100 back prelim in 48.68. He’s well ahead of the other thee guys who managed to crack 50 seconds, including second-seeded Nick Petersen from the Schroeder YMCA.
Emily Slabe from the Countryside YMCA in Ohio topped the women’s 100 backstroke in 54.27, followed by Marie Chamberlain in 54.77 and another 14-year old from Middle Tyger Ali Gayer in 54.91.
Watch out in the medley relays at this meet; If they limit themselves to just swimmers from the age group, these girls from Middle Tyger have a shot at some record-breaking swims.