GOLD for Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson (Ottawa, ON) in 200IM. Time of 2:12.93 which breaks Erika's own National Age Group Record. Stellar swim: check it out on yesterday's finals here.
GOLD and SILVER for Canada in women's 200BR for Kierra Smith and Mariya Chekanovych of BC. These girls were in the same position in the 100BR, but more importantly, best time for both girls and both were under the Junior Pan Pac meet record (which now belongs to Smith 2:25.78 - 4th Fastest in Canadian history). Again, proving the Canadian women's breaststroke is world class.
SILVER for William Brothers (Island Swimming) in the mens 800FR. William medaled in the 1500 earlier in the meet and broke 8min for the first time in the 800 last night, while finishing 2nd. Matthew Levings of Australia fininshed 1st and broke the meet record, but William was less than a second off of the old meet record.
SILVER for Canadian Women in 4x100 Medley Relay (PICKREM SMITH, THOMAS, CHAN). Not a surprise at all. Canadian Women are swimming great - there are 2 gold medalists on this relay team alone. Congrats to them!
Of note were the following:
- Japanese Breaststroker, Akihiro Yamaguchi, claimed to have been going for the world record last night in the 200BR... sounds strange until you see that he posted a blisteringly fast 2:08.03 - a time that would have won him a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics in London only weeks ago.
- Evan White of Oakville, ON, quietly having a great swim in the mens 200IM (2:04.50).
- Canadian Men's relay team missing the podium buy about 3 tenths of second. Great Race!
- USA's Becca Mann KILLING the competition in the women's 1500FR, winning by almost 15 whole seconds (16:11.98) and breaking the meet record by 6 seconds and change. This girl is unbelievable!
Don't forget, you can see all of the finals on USA Swimming's YouTube page. I encourage you all to take some time to watch. This is WORLD CLASS swimming that (for whatever reason) was largely ignored. In case you missed it, Canada wasn't on the podium enough and finished 4th. Expose yourself to fast swimming - make it normal - bring it to the pool as much as you can - then bring it to a meet. Change the sport here at home and help make it better! That's your homework assignment.
