South African Long Course Nationals: Final Day in Books

DURBAN, South Africa, April 22. THE South African Long Course Nationals, which served as part of a lengthy Olympic and Paralympic qualifying schedule for the country, came to a close with a seventh day of qualifying.

FINALS
Karin Prinsloo dominated the women's 200 back with a time of 2:10.76, just off her semifinal time of 2:10.74 that qualified her for the 2012 London Games. Jessica Ashley-Cooper finished second in 2:16.53, while Nathania Van Niekerk placed third in 2:16.97.

Chad Le Clos just missed adding a fifth event at the 2012 London Games with a 52.45 to win the men's 100 fly. That performance missed the FINA A cut time of 52.36, but provisionally qualified him under the B cut time of 54.19. Le Clos moved up to 20th in the world rankings. Dylan Bosch (53.89) and Neil Watson (54.43) completed the top three.

A day after moving to 17th in the world rankings with an Olympic-qualifying 22.08 in semis, Roland Schoeman captured the men's 50 free crown with a 22.23. Brad Tandy placed second in 22.35, while Gideon Louw earned third in 22.45.

Trudi Maree claimed the women's 50 free in 25.38, just missing the FINA A cut time of 25.27. The swim did clear the FINA B cut mark of 26.15 for provisional qualification. Lehesta Kemp (26.17) and Karin Prinsloo (26.26) rounded out the podium.

Wendy Trott, who already cleared the FINA A cut standard in the women's 800 free with a preliminary time of 8:28.79, cruised to victory in 8:30.61 during the finale. Jessica Pengelly placed second in 8:41.40, while Michelle Weber wound up third in 8:44.10.

Heerden Herman flashed a 15:07.99 in the men's 1500 free to clear the FINA A cut of 15:11.83, and make the Olympic roster. His swim was off his 12th-ranked season best of 15:06.11 from January guaranteeing him a ride to London. Mark Randall (15:27.38) and Myles Brown (15:31.68) finished second and third.

In non-Olympic finals, Suzaan van Biljon won the women's 50 breast in 32.61. Taryn Mackenzie finished second in 32.78, while Justine Macfarlane clocked a third-place 33.29. After leading semis with a 28.95, Warren Barnes won the men's 50 breast in 29.10. Rory Buck (29.16) and Jared Pike (29.26) placed second and third.

Neil Watson snared the men's 50 fly in 24.31, while Brett Walsh took second in 24.75. Will Schepers picked up third in 24.78. Vanessa Mohr posted a 26.53 to win the women's 50 fly. That time pushed her to 13th in the world rankings. Marne Erasmus touched second in 27.69, while Jessica Ashley-Cooper placed third in 27.96.

Charl Crous won the men's 50 back in 25.66, while Ricky Ellis (25.98) and Darren Murray (26.30) completed the top three. Australia's Sophie Edington, who stands fifth in the world with a season best 27.98, cruised to victory in the women's 50 back with a 28.82. Jessica Ashley-Cooper finished second in 29.75, while Amy Peens clinched third in 30.35.

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