USA Swimming Junior Nationals: Rachel Bootsma Posts Amazing 100 Back Leadoff; Missy Franklin Doubles

FEDERAL WAY, Washington, August 14. AFTER a bomb threat caused havoc in the middle of the day, the USA Swimming Junior Nationals went off without a hitch this evening. Colorado Stars' Missy Franklin concluded a remarkable breakthrough meet with a double. Aquajets' Rachel Bootsma, however, put together the strongest performance of the night as a 100 back leadoff.

The 400 medley relays ended the evening. Aquajets' Rachel Bootsma, Abigail Duncan, Meghan Cummings and Tess Behrens won the women's event in 4:08.67 to smash the meet record of 4:15.02. Bootsma dropped a 59.77 leadoff leg to become the first swimmer in Juniors history to clear 1:00. She broke the meet record of 1:00.50 set earlier this week. The swim tied Bootsma with Daniela Samulski for 14th all time. Bootsma moved into fourth all-time in the U.S. annals with Natalie Coughlin (58.94), Hayley McGregory (59.11) and Margaret Hoelzer (59.21) the lone Americans ahead of her.

Nashville's Parker Camp, Jarvis Werkhaven, Dakota Hodgson and John Davis took the men's 400 medley title in 3:49.32.

Franklin first won the women's 200 IM in 2:12.73 to crush the meet record of 2:14.95 set by Dagny Knutson last year. North Baltimore's Felicia Lee claimed second in 2:15.17 with AGUA's Sara Giberson completing the top three in 2:15.84.

Franklin completed her double with a sterling time of 25.23 in the women's 50 free. The swim clipped the 25.47 meet record set by Liv Jensen last year. AGUA's Lia Neal finished second in 25.39, also under the former record, while Greenville's Lauren Perdue took third in 25.64.

North Baltimore's Camryne Morris put up a strong time of 16:32.49 in the seventh out of eight heats, and watched as her time stood up for the overall victory. Kirsten Groome's meet record of 16:26.35 from a year ago lasted another year. Nova of Virginia's Rachel Naurath finished second in 16:36.72, while Mission Aurora's Bonnie Brandon placed third in 16:36.87 as both swam in the final heat.

Duneland's Kyle Whitaker ripped off a 2:00.07 in the men's 200 IM for the win. That performance wiped out the meet record of 2:00.87 set by Nick D'Innocenzo a year ago. Greenville's Matthew Houser finished a distant second in 2:02.93 with Long Island's John Wagner earning third in 2:03.77.

Los Altos' Ryan Hanni topped the men's 50 free in 22.71, while Vlad Morozov's meet record of 22.44 from 2008 held up for another year. Terrapins' Aaron Wayne touched second in 22.93 with Long Island's Oliver Lee finishing third in 23.00.

In another distance event, North Baltimore's Andrew Cosgarea took home the men's 1500 free in 8:04.86. The readout came up three seconds short of Chad La Tourette's meet record of 8:01.75 set in 2006. Germantown Academy's Arthur Frayler snatched second in 8:06.70, while Pilot's Evan Pinion wound up third in 8:08.75.

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