Canadian World Championship Trials: Julia Wilkinson Lowers Canadian Record; Annamay Pierse, Martha McCabe Do Battle

VICTORIA, British Columbia, March 30. THE initial evening of long course competition at the Canadian World Championship Trials featured a national record, and several swift times.

Julia Wilkinson bettered her women's 50 back national record with a 28.13. That effort crushed her previous best of 28.47, and pushed her to second in the world rankings behind Aleksandra Herasimenia's 28.06 from January. Sinead Russell placed second in 28.98, while Katy Murdoch snatched third in 29.06.

Annamay Pierse touched out Martha McCabe, 2:24.18 to 2:24.43, as the two put on a show in the women's 200 breast. Only world-beater Rebecca Soni has been better this year in the event with a 2:23.27 from last month. Tera Van Beilen touched a distant third with a 2:28.41.

Audrey Lacroix dominated the women's 200 fly with a 2:08.61 for the win. That effort pushed her to fourth in the world rankings with Ellen Gandy (2:05.90), Jemma Lowe (2:06.94) and Elaine Breeden (2:08.61) currently ahead of her. Katerine Savard placed second in 2:10.10, while Tanya Hunks snared third in 2:11.73.

Ryan Cochrane topped the men's 400 free in 3:49.30. That performance put him into a fifth-ranked tie with Gergo Kis in the world rankings, improving on his previously sixth-ranked season best of 3:50.79. Chad Bobrosky took second in 3:51.72, while Ray Betuzzi touched third in 3:56.90.

Stefan Hirniak threatened his national record in the men's 200 fly with a winning 1:57.42. His 2010 standard of 1:57.01 withstood the effort. Hirniak moved into the top 10 in the world rankings with his time tonight. Zack Chetrat placed second in 1:58.88, while Mack Darragh earned third in 2:01.37.

Mike Brown also claimed a top-10 position with a 2:12.39 for the men's 200 breast triumph. That time put him ninth in the world rankings. Scott Dickens finished a full second behind in 2:13.39, while Warren Barnes clinched third in 2:14.35.

Samantha Cheverton knocked off Barbara Jardin, 4:09.67 to 4:10.32, for the women's 400 freestyle victory. Brittany MacLean wound up third overall in 4:11.02. Charles Francis touched out Matt Swanston, 26.08 to 26.11, in the men's 50 back. Matt Hawes completed the top three in 26.41. Guy Barnea, meanwhile, won the B final in 25.41

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