Maryland State Championships: Full Recap; Elizabeth Pelton Posts American Record; Several Other Swimmers Win Prolifically

By David Rieder

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, March 8. THE Maryland Swimming Championship meet took place Thursday, March 3 through Sunday, March 6. North Baltimore's Elizabeth Pelton starred in the short course yards meet, setting an American record in the women's 200 back.

As previously reported, Pelton clocked 1:49.16 in the event to better the 1:49.52 set by Natalie Coughlin at the 2002 NCAA Championships. Pelton improved on her previous best of 1:50.51 from December 2010, jumping from fifth to second in the all-time rankings for the event. Pelton trails only Gemma Spofforth, who owns the U.S. Open record of 1:48.34.

Pelton swam and took victory in two other individual events at the meet. She won the 200 free in 1:44.89 and also the 100 back in 52.10, after clocking 51.70 in prelims. Pelton will represent the U.S. at this summer's World Championships in the 100 back. She also swam on three winning relays. Pelton, Stephanie O'Toole, Kendall Surhoff, and Camryne Morris took the 400 medley relay in 3:41.50, with Pelton providing a 52.46 backstroke lead-off. Pelton, Natalie Beale, O'Toole, and Morris won the 400 free relay in 3:24.82, with Pelton swimming a 48.52 lead-off leg.

Wang, Morris, and O'Toole all posted individual victories in Annapolis. Wang won the 100 free (51.57), 1650 Free (16:22.52), 200 IM (2:01.66), and 400 IM (4:13.22), and took second in the 500 free (4:44.74). Morris, meanwhile, swept the 500 (4:42.70) and 1000 free (9:36.66) and took second to Pelton in the 200 free (1:47.51). Finally, O'Toole took the 200 breast(2:13.70). EST's Kelley Yang took the 50 free (24.04), while Naval Academy's Katelyn Sowinski took the 200 fly (2:01.24).

North Baltimore's Drew Cosgarea starred on the men's side, winning five individual events. Cosgarea took the 500 free (4:24.19), 1000 free (8:59.95), 200 back , (1:44.96), 200 IM (1:46.85), and 400 IM (3:45.06). Teammate Chase Kalisz won the 200 breast (1:59.92) and took second in three events: the 200 fly (1:49.25), 200 IM (1:48.94), and 400 IM (3:53.33). NBAC's Jes Stephens grabbed the win in the 200 free (1:39.81). North Baltimore's team of Cosgarea, Kalisz, Hamed Hudhud, and Stephens won the 400 medley relay (3:26.03), while Kalisz, Peyton Bailey, Cosgarea, and Jack Pollack took the 400 free relay (3:07.96).

EST's Giles Smith doubled with wins in the 50 free (20.36) and 100 fly (47.35), while Navy's Gage Trotter won both the 100 back (48.54) and 200 fly (1:48.88). Trotter's Navy teammate Justin Vagts won the 1650 free (15:50.63), and JCC's Josh Tomlin took the 100 free (46.93).

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