Lauren Barber Doubles For Second Straight Night at Christiansburg Sectionals

Photo Courtesy: Kristin Karkoska

CHRISTIANSBURG – Jewish Community Center’s Lauren Barber won two individual events for the second consecutive night, while the Coast Guard Blue Dolphins held onto a slim lead in the team standings during the third night of racing at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center.

Coast Guard Blue Dolphins’ Peyton Baldwin claimed the first title up for grabs tonight, clearing 2:00 in the women’s 200 fly with a 1:59.93, a nearly two second drop from prelims. Machine Aquatics’ Lea Gwennap, who has already finished in the top three a couple of times at this meet, touched second in 2:00.59, while Columbia Aquatics Association’s Morgan Liberto came in third at 2:01.55. In the men’s 200 fly, Columbia Aquatics Association’s Jack Saunderson dropped the hammer with a 1:47.07 in finals, almost two seconds better than Blue Wave Swim Team’s Stephen Clendenin (1:48.99). Loyola Blakefield Aquatics’ Robert Williams also cracked 1:50 in the championship final, taking third in 1:49.59.

Fourteen-year-old Morgan Scott of the Central Bucks Swim Team topped the women’s 50 free final in 23.50, edging teammate Emily Kosten, who came in at 23.58. Coast Guard Blue Dolphins’ Maddie Morello posted a 23.65 for third. The men’s sprint free final turned out to be even closer, as CYC Rally Aquatic Club’s Edward Zawatski got to the wall slightly ahead of Malvern Swimming Association’s Billy Beard, 20.59 to 20.66. Retriever Aquatic Club’s Andrew Sanchez was also in the hunt for the title and wound up third in 20.79.

After winning two events last night, Lauren Barber of the Jewish Community Center earned a third win in the 200 breast, dominating the final heat with a 2:14.87. No other swimmers even broke 2:20, as Allegheny North’s Ann Juneau swam a 2:20.50 and Eagle Swim Team’s Isabella McElrath posted a 2:21.06. National teamer Brendan McHugh of Greater Philadelphia Aquatic Club put on a show in the men’s 200 breast final, tapping the pads at 1:55.75 to blow away the rest of the heat. Greater Baltimore Swim Association’s Connor Ganley placed second in 2:01.97, while Allegheny North’s Casey Melzer touched third at 2:02.31.

Loyola Blakefield’s Hannah Gouger proved to be the top backstroker of the night, stopping the clock at 54.53 to win the women’s 100 back final over Machine Aquatics’ Lea Gwennap (55.11) and Snow Swimming’s Caroline Lee (55.61). A pair of swimmers got under 50 seconds in the men’s race, led by Lancaster Aquatic Club’s James Wilson in 49.06. Top seed Stephen Clendenin of Blue Wave Swim Team couldn’t quite hold onto his top position, finishing second in 49.32. Columbia Aquatics Association’s Alexander Gliese rounded out the top three in 50.30.

Lauren Barber earned double victories for the second night in a row with the fastest time of the night in the women’s 500 free. Barber got to the wall just ahead of Egg Harbor Township’s Amanda Nunan, 4:50.01 to 4:50.19. Coast Guard Blue Dolphins’ Jenna Beattie swam a 4:55.29 to solidify third. Arthur Markley claimed the men’s distance title in 4:31.09, less than half a second in front of Jewish Community Center’s Austin Mortimer (4:31.56). Taye Baldinazzo of Columbia Aquatics Association swam a 4:32.00 for third.

The Coast Guard Blue Dolphins hold a slim 11-point lead over Nation’s Capital in the team standings, 411 points to 400. Mount Lebanon Aqua Club is in third with 382 points.

Results from the meet can be found on Meet Mobile.

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Bill Bell

9 years ago

Those 200 free times for women and men don’t seem kosher? A senior woman winning in 1:59.9 and the guy touching in 1;47.0

THOSE AREN’t particularly fast — for14 year olds!

Maybe 1:49 women and 1:39 for men but otherwise…too slow.