Canadian SC Nationals-Day 1 Finals

Toronto-Depth of racing was the name of the game tonight at the University of Toronto, host of its first ever Canadian National Championships. The swimming was fast and the crowd was intimate, as seven Canadian Records were set. Veterans such as Brent Hayden took the medal podium, but there were just as many teenagers stealing the show.

"I am very pleased with the depth of the program," said Canadian CEO, Pierre Lafontaine. "We had 14 girls under 2 minutes in the 200 free, a 1:47.5 to make finals in the men's 200 free. The depth is what we've been working on since I arrived. We are really seeing the price of our junior program. We need to continue to build from the top, but also from the bottom. We need to give kids confidence so that they can feel they can beat anyone. It is all the little victories moving forward, we are knocking on the door. The kids are smelling world records."

 50 Breast

Although she was the defending National Record holder, it was still an upset to see 15 year old Amanda Reason (ESWIM) take down Olympian Annamay Pierse (UBCD) 29.96 to 30.32 in the women's 50 Breast. Reason was out fast and never lost momentum, lowering her National Record from 30.48 set in February. In for third spot was Tera Van Beilen (OAK) in 30.85. With the prize of a car on the line for the first World Record, breaking a National Record isn't quite enough for the swimmers. "As my whole team knows," said Reason, "I'm going for the World Record."

On the men's side it was Scott Dickens (UBCD) out for revenge after missing last summer's Olympic Games. He beat Olympian Mathieu Bois (CNPP) 27.04 to 27.56. Bronze went to Warren Barnes (SCAR) in 27.56. Dickens, who has been training on and off again with Jozef Nagey, looked strong on route to his victory.

200 Free 

Fresh back from Auburn University, Stephanie Horner took it out in lane 1 in 56.53, schooling the younger women on how to race a 200 Free. "It's awesome to see those young girls swimming so well," said Horner. She won in 1:56.48 over Heather MacLean (ESWIM) in 1:56.72. Both 16 year old MacLean and third place swimmer 15 year old Alexandra Gabor (1:57.06) were under the old National Age Group (NAG) record set by Brittney Reimer of 1:57.06. 

It started as the battle between veterans with Brent Hayden (UBCD) and teammate Brian Johns (UBCD) in lanes 5 and 4 in the men's 200 Free. But Olympian and defending National Record holder Colin Russell (DS/UT) wouldn't let them go. Out in 50.65 to Hayden's 49.64, Russell and Hayden took it to the wire, with Hayden touching first and taking back his record with a 1:42.35 to Russell's 1:42.87. "Yeah, I knew he was coming on me," said Hayden, "I just tried to hang on…I’m not thinking about records, just swimming fast." Johns was third in 1:44.57 with 17 year old rising star Hassaan Abdel-Khalik (ESWIM) in 5th at 1:45.47. 

100 Back 

Calgary duo Katy Murdoch (UCSC) and Hanna Kubas (UCSC) were the favourites tonight in the women's 100 Back as Murdoch broke the National Record in February with her 58.67. This morning she was almost there again with her 58.68, but her legs were gone in the final lap. She touched in 58.98 for the gold. In for silver, was Sinead Russell (DS) whose brother was second in the 200 free, with a 59.70. Bronze went to Kubas in 59.85. 

The underwaters were different in the men's 100 Back, with eventual winner Matt Hawes (UBCD) coming up early and behind, and silver medallist, the young David Sharpe (HTAC), killing him off each wall. Hawes still managed the win in 53.02 to 18 year old Sharpe's 53.59. "I mean, I was going for 52," said Hawes, "But that is my best time, so…" Bronze went to Hawes' teammate Alexander Johnson (UBCD) 54.13. 

200 Fly 

Olympian Audrey Lacroix (CAMO) led from start to finish in the women's 200 Fly, clearly beating the field with a 2:05.76. Silver went to fellow Olympian Tanya Hunks (UBCD) in 2:08.04 and bronze to Brenna Maclean (WVOSC) in 2:09.09. Maclean was the only record breaker in the event, her time lowered the NAG record set by Jessica Deglau (UBCD) back in 1998.

The men's 200 Fly was more exciting, as American raised Stefan Hirniak (IS) exchanged the lead with Zack Chetrat (OAK/UT) several times. Hirniak got the gold with a 1:55.54, still over a second off the Canadian Record set by Shamek Pietucha (UCSC) back in 2000. Chetrat finished in 1:55.83, while Tim Ruse (PCSC) was third in 1:56.86. "We have great races," said Hirniak, "Every time we get on the blocks Zach and I have a great race." 

Women's 1500 Free 

In the final event of the evening, it was 16 year old Savannah King (UBCD) who controlled the race. Her 800 split was 8:28.98 and despite a roaring crowd she just missed breaking the 16 minute mark with her 16:00.68. Her swim lowered the Canadian Record by 9 seconds, which was set way back in 1989 by Canadian distance legend Debbie Wurzburger (EKSC). "I'm really happy being just 69/100ths off 15 minutes," said King. "It's amazing!" Her time ranks her #2 in the world this year.  In for the silver and bronze were Zsofi Balazs (TSC) in 16:22.10 and 15 year old Bridget Coley (HAC) in 16:31.89.