Day Two Concludes at Swimming South African World Champ Trials With Upsets

By Jason Marsteller

DURBAN, South Africa, December 14. A pair of upsets went down in the men's 200 free and women's 50 fly events at the KZN Provincial Swimming Championships and Swimming South Africa World Championships Trials. Jean Basson upended an injured Ryk Neethling in the 200 free, while Keri Shaw downed Lize-Mari Retief in the 50 fly.

Women's 200 Freestyle
Melissa Corfe hit the wall in 2:02.23 to win the event, while Wendy Trott placed second in 2:03.62. Leone Vorster pocketed third in 2:03.80.

Men's 200 Freestyle
Jean Basson upset an ailing Ryk Neethling to capture the men's 200 free in 1:48.88. Neethling, nursing a shoulder injury, took silver in 1:49.20, while Carl Marais finished third in 1:52.09.

"I am disappointed that I did not qualify in the event, but happy that I finally got to beat Ryk," Basson said. "He is such a strong swimmer and to finally beat him is a real big achievement."

Women's 50 Butterfly
Keri Shaw knocked off African record holder Lize-Mari Retief in the second consecutive upset of the meet. Shaw blazed to a 27.29, while Retief settled for silver in 27.41. Chanelle Van Wyk rounded out the top three in 27.84.

Men's 50 Butterfly
Roland Schoeman shot down a pair of teammates en route to a win in 23.70. Lyndon Ferns stopped the clock in 23.91 for second, while Fouche Venter placed third in 24.80.

"I did not taper at all for the trials and am very happy that I still qualified in the event. I am tired at the moment and did not expect this at all," Schoeman said. "I think the break did me the world of good."

Women's 100 Backstroke
Karin Prinsloo edged Tannith Prout by .1 seconds to capture gold in the 100 back. Prinsloo touched in 1:03.69, while Prout hit the wall in 1:03.79. Melissa Corfe took bronze in 1:04.35.

"The two races was quite tough so I did not qualify," Corfe said. "But, I am hoping to get the time in the 200 backstroke."

Men's 100 Backstroke
Gerhard Zandberg nearly eclipsed his African record time of 55.24 with a 55.35 for gold. George Du Rand, the top-qualifier from prelims, took second in 56.06, while Garth Tune placed third in 57.26.

Women's 200 Breaststroke
Suzaan van Biljon easily claimed the women's 200 breast in 2:27.76. Tammy Laubscher scored silver in 2:31.31, while Yolana du Plessis garnered bronze in 2:34.19.

"I was not too sure I would qualify. I recently struggled with my stroke but am happy that I qualified. It takes off the pressure," van Biljon said.

Men's 200 Breaststroke
Neil Versfeld duked it out with William Diering to come up with a .13 second triumph. Versfeld stopped the clock in 2:14.49, while Diering hit the wall in 2:14.62. Matthew Josephson placed third in 2:18.61.

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