Montreal-Whether you think the new Jaked suits are a must have, or you are confident enough to pass on them for now, one thing is certain, everyone has an opinion. Coaches committed to Speedo, have stayed committed to Speedo, even though their swimmers are nervously wondering will it be enough? Others whose swimmers have the Jaked say it is not worth the hype. Some just want FINA to make a proper rule and are waiting until September to change what their swimmers wear. While most swimmers are too young to defer much from the status quo with comments like, "It's not the suit, it's my hard training," the best comment came from one top swimmer who replied to the question, "Is it the suit?" with this: "Well, I threw my suit in the pool yesterday and it didn't move…so I guess it might have something to do with the swimmer inside."
Wearing the Speedo LZR, Jaked, Blue Seventy and probably a few more, it was the country's veterans that shined tonight, just like the sun. Finally.
Men's 800 Free
There was no doubt who would win, but the question was how fast would Olympic bronze medallist Ryan Cochrane (IS) be able to go? He was out under his Canadian record pace (set on route to the medal in the 1500 in Beijing) until the 300, but settled into 59s for a final swim of 7:48.33, which is the 4th fastest time posted in the world this year.
"I am not really sure yet if I will swim that event at Worlds, but I need to be out 4 seconds faster than that to my feet for the 1500. I am always working on my speed," said Cochrane about his speedy 200 free last night, "but when it comes to the 1500 it's all about steady splits."
Perhaps the real news of the race was the trail of 7 of Cochrane's teammates following in his wake. In for silver was Sean Penhale (IS) who is finishing up his Senior year at Western Kentucky University, in 8:03.51, and bronze went to Jeremy Bagshaw (IS) in 8:06.70. Fourth spot went to Craig Dagnall (IS) in 8:09.09, 9th went to Riley Pickerl, and 10th, 11th and 12th spots went to 15 year old Alex Page (IS), 16 year old Keegan Zanatta (IS) and 17 year old Grayson Repp (IS).
Women's 100 Free
Victoria Poon (CNPPO) was out fast in 26.41, but Heather Maclean (ESWIM) powered home for her best time and second national title in as many nights with a 54.68 to Poon's 54.94. Both women wore Jaked suits. Bronze and 4th went to Olympians Genevieve Saumur (CNPPO) and Julia Wilkinson (NYAC) in LZRs with 55.12 and 55.35.
"It's been pretty good," said Maclean of her back to back wins. "Hopefully [the relay] can get top 8 at Worlds and place higher than ever before." Poon's time was also a personal best. "To be honest, I didn't see [Maclean] on the last 50 as I breathe to my left, but I just try to swim my own race. I went a best time this morning and I think I went the same time tonight, so I can't complain."
From consols, 16 year olds Sinead Russell (DSC) and Alexandra Gabor (WGB) who both made the team on the first day, posted the 5th and 6th fastest times of the night with 55.55 and 55.56 respectively wearing Jaked suits.
Men's 100 Free
Despite battling illness, the co-defending World Champ in this event will be in Rome to defend his title. Brent Hayden (UBCD) had a great swim despite being under the weather and on antibiotics. He went out after it, flipping in 23.04 to Joel Greenshields (UASC) in 23.47. While Hayden faded in the final stretch, he won in 48.16 to Greenshields' 48.39. In for bronze was Collin Russell (DSC) in 48.92 with Stefan Hirniak (IS) picking up the final relay spot in 49.98. All three men after Hayden swam best times and only Greenshields wore the Jaked, while the others were in LZRs.
"That time was faster than my semi-final time in Beijing," said Hayden, "So I will take it." When asked if he will swim the 50 since he scratched the 200 he replied, "It's only 1 length, so of course you will see me!"
"It's my first time under 49," said Greenshields, "it is always great to chase Brent around the pool."
Women's 400IM
Four women were in the mix all wearing LZR suits for the women's event. Olympians Alexa Komarnycky (IS) and Tanya Hunks (UBCD) took control by the breast and it looked liked Hunks, who is also a freestyle specialist, would run away with it, but Komarnycky had a great last 100 and edged Hunks 4:40.10 to 4:41.17.
For Komarnycky, the swim was just off her best time set in May of 4:39.50, which is the 11th fastest time this year, while Hunks was just off her best from Beijing. Both women were under the FINA 'A' standard.
"I just wanted to make the team," said Komarnycky post race. "I was definitely targeting the Canadian record, but it's no big deal, I can do it in Rome!"
"Tom and I have been working really hard this year," said Hunks. "So I am very disappointed with that swim, it's what I have been training for all season, to break Joanne Malar's longcourse record. This was my main focus, but after yesterday's swims, I just don't recover like I did when I was 16! So it's not bad, I will take it."
Men's 400IM
One man stood up and shined in this event, which has been dominated for several years by Brian Johns (UBCD) and Keith Beavers (ROW) who are both in Serbia at FISU's this week. Winning it all and earning his ticket to Rome was Jordan Hartney (UBCD) in 4:17.52. In for silver was Andrew Ford (GMAC) who turned first at the 300, but was no match for Hartney's free split of 59.86 and he finished in 4:23.00. Bronze went to 16 year old 200 fly winner Anders McIntyre (VKSC) in 4:24.45.
Women's 50 Fly
A non-selection event, the race was won by 18 year old Kendra Chernoff (GOLD) who heads to Texas A&M next season to train with Olympian Julia Wilkinson. Chernoff touched in 27.20 to Jennifer Beckberger's (WD) 27.27. 16 year old Katerine Savard (CNCSQ) was third in 27.35.
Men's 50 Fly
Thomas Kindler (CNPPO) won another race for the home team with his 23.66 and lowered his Canadian record on route. In for silver was an unshaved Joe Bartoch (LAC) in 24.03 followed by Eric Cantin (R&O/UL) in 24.05.
Women's 100 Breast
It was the race of the evening, with 2 World Record holders going head to head. This morning, Annamay Pierse (UBCD) split a 30.47 in the 100 breast, almost breaking the World Record set last night by Amanda Reason (ESWIM), while Reason had a relatively slow morning qualifying in lane 1 in 1:10.68 to Pierse's 1:06.77 Canadian Record. But tonight, with both women in Jaked suits, they were head to head and the race was on.
Reason turned first in 30.84 to Pierse's 30.99, but then the 200 specialist turned it on, surging through the final lap to finish in 1:05.74, with Reason also a best time of 1:06.53. Pierse is now ranked number 1 in the world this year in this event with Reason sitting in 4th spot. Only Leisel Jones (AUS) has ever been faster than Pierse, and that was in 2006.
"I am not fully prepared yet so I can come down at Worlds," said Pierse. "This morning I wanted to go out as fast as I could. It is not often you get to try something like that in heats, but tonight I swam the same sort of way."
For Reason, who had yet to secure her spot to Rome, her time in the 100 also qualifies her for the 50. "I am very excited now that I know I've made it and I am going to Rome to swim the 50 and 100."
In for bronze was Pierse's training partner Martha McCabe (UBCD) in 1:08.59.
Men's 100 Breast
While the hype surrounded the women's event, the men did not disappoint. Paul Kornfeld (UCSC) who is finishing up his Senior year at Stanford were he won 2 NCAA breast titles in 2008, took it out in his shiny gold Jaked suit in 29.19. Scott Dickens (UBCD) turned second in 28.25 with Mathieu Bois (CNPPO) third in 28.77-both men were in LZR leg suits only.
After a disappointing season last year, Dickens looked great and came home like he never has before to finish in 1:00.23 to lower the Canadian Record set in 2003 by Morgan Knabe. 2008 Olympian, Bois, also finished strong to out-touch Kornfeld 1:00.55 to 1:00.65.
"I just tried to keep my head in my own lane," said Dickens. "It feels great, honestly, I am just happy to be back."
