World Championship Trials Day 1

On an exciting night for Canadian Swimming including Kylie Masse's near World Record in the 100 Backstroke, PCS had some great performances to get excited about.

Though Stephanie Horner is racing for Pointe Claire out of Montreal, she is based out of Victoria and has trained with Ron Jacks and PCS for over two years, and swam with the Vikes before that.  We consider he part of the team, and she won the Women's 1500 last night in a new Quebec Provincial record of 16:49.45!  Her focus is on World Championships for Open Water this summer, but she is a natural racer and loves getting in the pool and competing again.  Watch for her to make some more moves in the 800 Free on Sunday!  

Vicky Mock added some PCS points coming 8th overall in the 1500 in a time of 17:23.76.  Taylor Snowden-Richardson took 7 seconds off her BT to take 17th place in 17:44.54.  Sophie Lorette took off at the start to lead the race, but would soon regret that decision and hurt a bit on the way back, coming 26th in 17:53.73. Erin Lawrance rounded out the PCS field in the event, taking 38th in 18:15.10.

Chris Deegan swam a best time in the 800 freestyle to place 5th in a time of 8:24.89.  He missed his goal of qualifying for the 10km race at the USA Open Water Nationals, but he has another chance in the 1500 on Sunday.

Cale Murdock swam to a best time in the 200 Freestyle B-Final to claim 10th place overall in a time of 1:52.32.  3rd at the 50, Cale moved well on the 2nd and 3rd 50 to gain a good lead on the pack.  He wasn't abel to hold off Adrian VanderHelm's last 50 surge however, but staved off the rest of the pack.

In addition to finals, there were also some good swims by PCS in the preliminary session.  

Sophie Tarrant swam her best preliminary time in the 200 Breast, placing 19th in a time of 2:36.86, and Jordan Andrusak placed 28th in a time of 2:39.78.

Michael Schmidt, in his first Senior National Championships, placed 21st in the 200 Breast, 2nd of the 15 year olds, in a best time of 2:26.16.  Not only was it a 2 year old best time, but it was also a regional record, breaking the 19 year old record set by Ken Hamilton in 1998.

Buzz Mallender was 22nd in the Men's 100 Backstroke in a time of 58.77, three tenths off his best time.  He will look to improve upon that in the 200 on Saturday.

In the time trial events, Kaity Gervais went a best time in the 200 Freestyle in a time of 2:06.09.  Look for her to bust out in the 400 and 800 Freestyle events this weekend.  Keir Ogilvie swam the time trial of the 200 Free for men, finishing in a best time and 13-14 boys' club record (breaking previous national team member Nick Sinclair's record) in a time of 2:02.92.  Lucas Tyler swam a best time in the 50 Fly in a time of 25.76.  Hana Edwards dropped almost 3 seconds in the 200 breast to go 2:41.90.  Hannah Lorette swam the 100 back in a time of 1:09.51.  Jacob Rambo nearly missed his best time in the 100 back in a time of 1:03.37, and finally Anthony Gutierrez swam the 800 Freestyle in a time of 9:06.90.

On Day 2, look out for Jessica Luo in the 100 Freestyle, Sophie Tarrant and Michael Schmidt in the 100 Breaststroke, and Jordan Andrusak, Hana Edwards and Jacob Rambo in the 400 IM.

Way to go swimmers and coaches!