USA Swimming Sectionals, Buffalo: Close Finishes Highlight Night One

BUFFALO, New York, August 2. THE 2012 Speedo Champions Series Super Sectional began this evening at the University at Buffalo's Alumni Arena with nail-biting finishes in three of the six events.

In the women's 200m IM, Western Kentucky's Alexandra Duff and New York City Lions' Catherine Meili were neck and neck the entire race before Duff got the better of Meili at the finish, 2:19.27 to 2:19.29. Fox Chapel Killer Whales' Heidi Miller sliced more than two seconds off her prelim time to take third in 2:20.04. The finish in the men's 200m IM turned out to be nearly identical, with Germantown Academy's Alex Lebed just out-touching Ridgefield Aquatic Club's Brian Bollerman, 2:06.02 to 2:06.06. Jersey Wahoo's Grant Proctor came in third in 2:06.98.

Jewish Community Center's Leah Smith dominated the women's 100m free, winning by nearly a full second in 57.55. Long Island Aquatic Club's Emily Kelly grabbed second in 58.30, while Eastern Express' Tomlyn Dillione placed third in 58.56. Ridgefield Aquatic Club's James Martin took home the men's 100m free title with a 51.83, about two tenths ahead of Greater Latrobe Aqua Club's Lucas Bureau (52.06). Jersey Wahoo's Matthew Belecanech wound up third in 52.41.

Another close race unfolded in the women's 100m breast, again involving New York City Lions' Catherine Meili and Long Island Express' Olivia Chan. Chan touched about three tenths ahead at the halfway point, before holding on to win in 1:11.53, with Meili right behind in 1:11.60. Syracuse Chargers' Kathryn Coughlin finished a distant third in 1:14.62. Meanwhile, Machine Aquatics' Richard Munch won the men's event comfortably in 1:04.33. Long Island Express' Gunther Cassell turned in a second place effort of 1:05.47, with Hershey Aquatic Club's Shota Nakano in third (1:05.93).

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