Warnecke Defies Age at German Nationals

BERLIN, May 24. THROUGH three days of the German Nationals, there’s no questioning that Helge Meeuw has been the star of the competition. But, we’ll get to the continued accomplishments of Meeuw in a second. First, how about a blast from the past?

Now a 35-year-old, Mark Warnecke looked every bit a youngster on Monday, as he blasted his opposition in the 100-meter breaststroke, clocking in at 1:01.71. That swim was quicker than the 1:02.02 that Jens Kruppa managed for second and the 1:02.48 that Philipp Cool notched for third place.

Warnecke is no stranger to international acclaim, as he was the 1996 Olympic bronze medalist in the 100 breast. The German has also enjoyed significant success at the World Championships and European Championships, whether the competition was in a long-course format or in a short-course setting.

As for Meeuw, he sizzled a 1:56.61 effort in the 200 butterfly, marking the third event he has won in Berlin. Earlier, Meeuw took first in the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly. He was followed in second place in the 200 fly by Benjamin Starke (1:58.09). With the distance fly considered up for grabs at the World Championships in Montreal, Meeuw is a certain medal contender.

In the 200 individual medley, Teresa Rohmann had little difficulty capturing first place. Rohmann, also the winner of the 400 I.M., took the shorter medley in 2:13.40. Annika Mehlhorn secured second in 2:17.00. As for the 400 free, Jana Henke topped the field in 4:12.24, ahead of the 4:14.10 recorded by Janina Gotz.

The men’s 50 free was taken by Rafed El-Masri in 22.61 and Annika Liebs prevailed in the women’s 200 backstroke with a swim of 2:12.18, slightly swifter than the 2:12.57 of Antje Buschschulte, who earlier won the 100 back.

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