Victoria-The final night of swimming at the 2010 Canadian Summer Nationals saw just two new swimmers qualify for the Pan Pacific team heading to Irvine in August, both in the 50 free. Teenagers Hannah Riordan and Luke Peddie both grabbed silvers behind national team veterans, and earned tickets to California in the process.
Men's 800 Free-While not a selection event for Pan Pacs, the field was stacked with Canada's best distance swimmers. Taking the early lead was Olympic bronze medalist Ryan Cochrane (IS) followed closely by Kier Maitland (EKSC) who qualified earlier this week in the 1500 free. Four of Cochrane's training partners were also in the field, with Jeremy Bagshaw (IS) and Sean Penhale (IS) battling it out for third. Bagshaw was second last night in the 400 free, a position good enough to qualify for Pan Pacs, however he declined the trip in order to compete at the Youth Olympics in Singapore. By the 400 Cochrane had flipped at 3:58.11 and never gave up the lead again. He won easily in 7:59.78, with Maitland in for silver in 8:01.61, followed by Penhale in 8:06.67.
Women's 200IM-Erica Morningstar (UCSC) won this event at the trials, securing the first spot on the team, which left room for one more woman to add her name to the roster heading to California in August. Morningstar defended, and second went to Julia Wilkinson (IS) also already on the team for the 200 free, so no new names went up on the board. Wilkinson led the race until the 145 metre mark before Morningstar caught her and pulled out ahead on the free leg to touch 2:13.03 to Wilkinson's 2:13.80. “I am actually pretty happy with that,” said Morningstar. “It's been a while since I went a best time in that event, about two years actually. Julia is a great backstroker so my goal was to work my breaststroke. Every time we race at nationals it's a good race.” In for bronze, and also already on the team for the 100 back, was Sinead Russell (DS) in 2:16.47.
Men's 200IM-One spot was open in this event after Brian Johns' (UBCD) win in Montreal, but again the spot was taken by someone already on the squad. Tobias Oriwol (TSC) battled Johns throughout but it was Johns who prevailed 2:01.56 to Oriwol's 2:02.22. “Toby is a fantastic flier and we all know he is a good backstroker from watching him last night [win the 200 back] so my goal was to use my breaststroke to make my move and battle it out to the end,” said the always humble Johns. “It was fantastic to see Keith [Beavers] honored tonight for his retirement and get the respect he deserves. He was one of my best friends on the national team and to see him honored is great. But I also look forward to breaking his national record this summer!” In for bronze was Andrew Ford (GMAC) in 2:03.61.
Women's 50 Free-Victoria Poon (CNPPO) has been dominating this event for several years now and despite being unshaved and untapered still managed the win in 25.69 over her teammate Hannah Riordan (CNPPO) in 25.77 who earned the open spot on the team. Riordan makes her national team debut, and was clearly excited. “Yes, I am happy,” beamed Riordan, “I just focused on getting a good start, having good rhythm, and keeping my head down.” Poon was happy with her swim and for her teammate. “It is exciting to be here and racing Hannah, she is such a fun girl, I love it!” In for bronze was Seanna Mitchell (UCSC) in 25.88.
Men's 50 Free-Brent Hayden (UBCD) continued his dominance and completed the freestyle sweep with his 22.73 win, but it was a 17 year old who stole the show. With a huge cheering section, Luke Peddie snapped up the second spot on the Pan Pac team with his 23.18, out-touching fellow Albertan 18 year old Kyle Troskot (LASC) who finished in 23.27. “It's a pretty great opportunity to go to Pan Pacs,” said a mellow Peddie. “I am pretty happy with the time, it is exactly the same as I went last weekend at Age-Group Nationals.”
Women's 200 Breast-This event is closed as World Record holder Annamay Pierse (UBCD) and her training partner Martha McCabe (UBCD) both were under the FINA 'A' standard at Pan Pac trials in April, but with half the field guided by legendary breaststroke coach Jozsef Nagy there was no room for error. Pierse took an early lead and dominated in 2:26.02. The battle for silver developed between Tianna Rissling (AMAC) who qualified in the 100 breast, McCabe, Ashley McGregor (PCSC), and Pierse's sister Hannah Pierse (UBCD). McGregor pulled ahead for second in 2:28.56, while McCabe ruined the sister sweep 2:29.90 to Hannah Pierse's 2:29.91. “I've had a pretty hard last 5 weeks of training to get ready for Pan Pacs and Commonwealth Games,” said Pierse who has been battling a magnesium deficiency all season and unable to train full-time. “These girls have all been racing so fast this week, so I am pretty happy with the win.”
Men's 200 Breast-With the last spot open for selection to the Pan Pac team, Sean Nugent (SF) went out like a lightening bolt in lane 2, turning in 1:04.15, but it was 50 and 100 breast winner Warren Barnes (TSC) who paced it perfectly. Barnes out-touched trials winner Scott Dickens (UBCD) 2:15.12 to 2:15.21 to sweep the breast events. “I feel really good,” said Barnes, “but it is so painful!” Picking up his second bronze of the meet was Richard Funk (EKSC) in 2:17.50.
Women's 1500 Free-Zsofi Balazs (TSC) took an early lead and never looked back. She finished with a near 25 metre lead over 800 free qualifier Savannah King (UBCD) 16:33.65 to 16:48.44. In for bronze was Natalie Sacco (IS) in 16:51.31. The win is Balazs first national title and personal best. “I feel great,” said Balazs who has the 10KM open water event tomorrow. “It is so exciting to win the title. As for open water and pool swimming, I can't choose what I like better as they are both so different.”
For full results read here.
https://www.swimming.ca/liveresults/10SummerNationals/
