Crippen Leads U.S. Junior Squad at Victorian Championships

MELBOURNE, Australia, January 3. GAINING a taste for international competition, the United States Junior National Team kicked off competition at the Victorian Championships today with a slew of positive results. The U.S. is competing against junior squads from Australia and Canada and the meet also features a number of big-time names, including Aussie Olympians Michael Klim, Matt Welsh and Brooke Hanson.

The U.S. received its finest showings from Teresa Crippen in the 400 individual medley and from its 800-meter freestyle relay. Crippen, who trains with the Germantown Academy Aquatic Club, clocked 4:49.49 and led an American sweep of the top three places. Caitlin Leverenz followed in second place in 4:52.71 and Jessica Rodriquez was third in 4:52.76.

Crippen comes from a family that oozes talent, as her sister, Maddy, was a 2000 Olympian in the 400 individual medley. Meanwhile, brother Fran Crippen is one of the top distance freestylers in the United States. Not to be overlooked, sister Claire Crippen has established herself as a top-flight performer. All have been coached by Dick Shoulberg, the longtime head man at Germantown and an ace when it comes to developing medley standouts.

In the women’s 800 freestyle relay, the United States notched a convincing triumph over the Haileybury Waterlions. The American unit checked in at 8:15.28, nearly three seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. Megan Romano handled the leadoff leg for the United States and also qualified third for the final of the 100 backstroke (1:04.16) while Crippen was fourth (1:04.20). Aussie Giaan Rooney, the reigning world champ in the 50 back, led the way to the 100 back final with a mark of 1:03.31. The other members of the free relay were Chelsea Franklin, Monica Drake and Leah Gingrich.

With the Commonwealth Games Trials just around the corner, and scheduled for the same pool as this competition, a number of veteran Aussies got in the mix. Michael Klim was third in the 200 freestyle, as his 1:51.62 was off the winning time of Kenrick Monk (1:51.11). Klim did lead qualifiers for the final of the 100 fly, thanks to a swim of 53.50. Mark Dylla (55.44) and David Seiler (55.85) were fourth and fifth for the United States. Meanwhile, Hanson was the fastest swimmer in the semifinals of the 50 breast (31.58). Americans Michelle McKeehan (32.67) and Leverenz (33.30) were fourth and fifth.

The women’s 200 butterfly saw Samantha Hamill take top honors in 2:12.48, but the U.S. received solid performances from Kathleen Hersey and Leah Gingrich, who went two-three. Hersey was timed in 2:14.28 while Gingrich, coached by Mike Gobrecht at the West Shore YMCA, went 2:15.91. In the men’s 100 back, Welsh was first in 55.65. The top finisher from U.S. Juniors was Eugene Godsoe, who was fifth in 57.43.

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