Victoria-It was the night of 'go out hard and hang on for dear life' as 7 new swimmers were added to the Canadian Pan Pacific Team heading to Irvine, California in August where they will take on the best swimmers from USA and Australia. Jake Tapp, Stefan Hirniak, MacKenzie Downing, and Katy Murdoch all went out fast and held on by inches for their tickets, while Savannah King and Julia Wilkinson reminded everyone why they are Olympians. Summer Nationals are the second qualifying chance for swimmers to earn selection after Pan Pac Trials were held in April in Montreal. Pan Pacs will then be the selection meet for Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October.
Women's 50 Fly-Victoria Poon, (CNPPO) already a Pan Pac qualifier from trials in the 50 and 100 frees, adds another event to her program in California. It was an easy win for the National Record holder despite being half a second off her best of 26.71 with her 27.21 win. “I just want to have fun this week,” said Poon. “It's like training, the 50 fly is short and sweet.” In for silver was Caroline Kuczynski (PCSC) with a 27.29 and bronze went to Sandrine Mainville (TNT) in 27.43. Fourteen year old Noemie Thomas (UBCD) finished fourth with a 27.46.
Men's 50 Fly-In the B Final, visitors took the lead: Florent Manaudou (FRA) - baby brother of Laure - clocked the fastest time of the night with a 24.32 followed by Lachlan Staples (AUS) and Grant Irvine (AUS) in 24.90 and 25.18. In the A Final, reserved for the host country, Kelly Aspinall (UBCD) won in 24.45 over Joe Bartoch (LAC) who breathed under the flags and touched in 24.80. “All is fun swimming the 50 fly,” smiled Aspinall, “It's no pain, you just 'giver.'” Aspinall races the 100 fly on Friday. Picking up the second bronze of the night for his team, Philippe Bastien (TNT) in 25.20.
Women's 200 Free-Julia Wilkinson (IS) added her name to the Pan Pacific team with a hold on win in 1:58.95. She lead from start to finish, but had to hold off several challenges from all across the pool. “I could see people in random positions and wondering, 'who's that?!, who's that?!'. But I did just try to keep my head down and keep it together.” The main challenger: Barbara Jardin (CNPPO) in 1:59.13, who picked up 3 bronze medals at Pan Pac trials, but must now wait for another event, or relay selections to know if she's heading to California. In for bronze was Samantha Cheverton (PCSC) in 1:59.49. Genevieve Saumur (CNPPO) is already on the team in this event with her trials win in April.
Men's 200 Free-Brent Hayden (UBCD) already has his lane for the 50 and 100 free at Pan Pacs, but he didn't give up the opportunity to add another event to his schedule. Coming from behind, Hayden touched in 1:49.13 to teammate Brian Johns (UBCD) in 1:49.38. Both men overcame Blake Worsley (IS) who fell to third with a 1:49.72. Johns, who is already swimming the 200 and 400IM in Irvine, will likely add the relay to his list of events. “I've been training really hard,” said an un-rested Hayden,” and I really just want to keep the ball rolling.” Colin Russell (TD) was in the B Final after winning the event at trials in Montreal.
Women's 100 Back-Already on the team for this event, Colin's younger sister, Sinead Russell dug in for a tough win just minutes after swimming the 200 free. Her 1:01.05 overcame Katy Murdoch (UCSC) who finished second in 1:01.46, over a second off her National record, but enough for her ticket to Pan Pacs. “I was kind of nervous going in,” said Russell after her win, “But I have been working hard the past few months. I have a pretty busy schedule this week, but I have had worse!” Bronze went to happy 16 year old Brittany MacLean (ESWIM) in 1:02.29. Rachel Goh (AUS) won the B Final in 1:01.84.
Men's 100 Back- Olympian and SwimNews cover boy Jake Tapp (LOSC) held on in the final 10 metres to earn his ticket to California. Out fast in 26.77, Tapp had to hold off a strong finish from recent Harvard grad, Tobias Oriwol (TSC). Tapp touched in 55.13 to Oriwol's 55.25. “I could feel him coming,” admitted Tapp, “there was a current sucking me back...boy it was close!” Third was snapped up by 200 back qualifier Matt Hawes (GO) in 55.97, while Trials winner Charles Francis finished fifth, but will swim the event in Irvine.
Women's 200 Fly-Audrey Lacroix (CAMO) had nothing to prove tonight, but she did. Her unshaved 2:09.89 was unneeded after her win at trials, but she powered on nonetheless. Earning her spot on the Pan Pac team was FISU gold medalist MacKenzie Downing (UVPCS) in 2:10.10. “I could definitely see her coming,” said Downing of Lacroix. “I just wanted to get out fast and hold on. I am just really, really happy to be on the team.” Bronze went to 100 fly qualifier Katerine Savard (CSQ) in 2:10.80.
Men's 200 Fly-With the local crowd buoying him onwards, Canadian record holder Stefan Hirniak (IS) got to the wall first to qualify for the Pan Pac team. It was not the easiest of swims, but he got the job done. Out in 56.45, Hirniak touched in 1:59.80 to join Zack Chetrat (OAK) on Team Canada. Chetrat, the winner in Montreal, finished second in 2:01.32, with Jordan Hartney (UBCD) placing third in 2:00.53. “It's the third time I've been under 2 minutes this summer, so I just want to keep moving forward,” said Hirniak. “I am really happy to just be on the team. It is great to do it and now I am really excited for my 800 free.”
Women's 800 Free-It was stroke for stroke the entire way for the two teen Olympians Savannah King (UBCD) and Lindsay Seeman (NEW). They flipped at the half in 4:17s and while Seeman kicked off the 700 wall to a small lead, it was King who powered home in the final 50 and a new best time of 8:36.21 to Seeman's 8:36.78. “I just tried to stay with Lindsay the whole time and touch her out at the end and it worked,” said King between breaths. “I have been that time for 2 years, so it is great to break it.” King joins Alexa Kormarnycky (IS) in this event in California. Picking up her second bronze of the day was Brittany MacLean (ESWIM) who posted an 8:49.96 in prelims.
Men's 1500 Free-With Ryan Cochrane safely on the team from the trials, the event was wide open for the second spot on the Pan Pac team. Kier Maitland (EKSC) took advantage, winning handily in 15:22.54. “I'm going to Disneyland!” joked Maitland who beat out Cochrane's training partners Sean Penhale (IS) in 15:30.16 and Craig Dagnall (IS) in 15:38.21.
See full meet results here:
https://www.swimming.ca/liveresults/10SummerNationals/
