Victoria-It was a night of great racing as three more rookies added their names to the Pan Pacific team. Two were added in the 400: Jeremy Bagshaw who was second in the men's race, as was Samantha Cheverton in the women's event, and one in the 100 fly: Karl Wolk. Olympian Tobias Oriwol earned selection as well in the 200 back.
Women's 400 Free-With no less than 5 Olympians in this final, the race was on from the gun. Out fast in lane 4 was Samantha Cheverton (PCSC), followed closely by Stephanie Horner (TSC). They both flipped in 2:05s, but it was Alexa Komarnycky (IS) who began to apply pressure on the third 100. She pulled even with Cheverton before powering home for the win in 4:12.00 to Cheverton's 4:12.71. With Komarnycky already on the team, Cheverton picked up the other spot and earned her first national team selection. “My my plan was to go out and hold it. Obviously I didn't beat her, but I made it,” said Cheverton. “I am so happy right now, just really excited.” Third went to Horner in 4:14.88.
Men's 400 Free-With no less than 5 Island Swimming teammates in this final, the race had certainly been played out in practice many times before. It was the youngest of the group, Jeremy Bagshaw (IS) who took an aggressive lead flipping first in 55.94. He continued pushing it at the half-way with Olympic bronze medalist Ryan Cochrane (IS) challenging him as he turned in 1:55.06. By the 300, Cochrane had just edged past him and 200 flier Stefan Hirniak made a move too, but in the final 50, Bagshaw was able to kick him off, and he finished behind Cochrane in 3:53.28 to the Olympian's 3:52.84. The swim puts Bagshaw on the Pan Pac team, but he is also selected for the first Youth Olympics in Singapore so will have to decide where he races again this summer. “We have an awesome training group in Victoria and I am proud to be a part of it.,” said Cochrane post race. “We showed we have taken control of this race in this country and hopefully the world. I didn't know what to expect without the suits, but this summer is all about racing, and hopefully I will be about 10 seconds faster this summer too.” Hirniak was pipped at the line by IMer Brian Johns (UBCD) who ruined the sweep with his 3:54.15 to Hirniak's 3:54.16.
Women's 100 Fly-Seventeen year old Katerine Savard (CSQ) broke onto the scene earlier this year with her win at trials in this event, and she continued her dominance winning from start to finish with 27.60 at the 50 and a 59.80 finish. National record holder Audrey Lacroix (CAMO) had a strong back half, touching in 59.97. “I am a little disappointed with my time as I wanted to go faster,” said Savard who posted the identical time in April with her trials win. “But a win is always good!” Third went to 14 year old Noemie Thomas (UBCD) who broke the NAG record with her impressive 1:00.45.
Men's 100 Fly-With an uncharacteristic beard and head of hair, Joe Bartoch (LAC) won untapered at 27 with a decisive 53.70. In for silver and the second spot on the Pan Pac team was 18 year old Karl Wolk (CASC) with his 55.01. It is Wolk's first national team. “It would be nice to have been under 55, but I got the job done!” said Wolk. “I had no idea where anyone else was...I knew Joe was ahead of me and my plan was to run him down. I guess I had enough to keep the others back.” In for bronze with a 55.22 was Stefan Hirniak (IS) who had less than 15 minutes between this event and his 400 free.
Women's 200 Back-The event was closed to newcomers for Pan Pacs (with Lauren Lavigna (UBCD) and Genevieve Cantin (UL) both getting under the FINA 'A' cuts in April), but it didn't seem to deter Dominique Bouchard (NBY) from taking full advantage of her newly acquired spot in the final. Bouchard was ninth this morning, but made it in after a late scratch by Katy Murdoch (UCSC). While it was Sinead Russell (DS) who lead from start to finish, the surprising silver by Bouchard was impressive. Russell was out in 1:04.41 and held onto the lead for the win in 2:11.38 to Bouchard's 2:11.68. In for third was Cantin in 2:12.10. A breathless Russell had hoped to be “a bit faster,” but was pleased with the win.
Men's 200 Back-After training himself part-time all season while finishing up his graduate degree at Harvard, Olympian Tobias Oriwol (TSC) left nothing to chance in his quest to qualify for Pan Pacs. Splitting 28.13, 58.14, and 1:28.92, it wasn't until the final 10 metres that he was caught and passed by national record holder Matt Hawes (UBCD). Hawes finished in 1:59.85 to Oriwol's 1:59.90, but with Hawes already qualified, Oriwol was able to secure the second spot on the team. “Tobias Oriwol, that was a crazy race!” said a humble Hawes. “You are the man, really a good job! I knew he was ahead and it was my plan to latch on and reel him in.” In for third was Matthew Swanston (NEW) in 2:00.92.
