Hoff, Ziegler Win Again on Day Three of Spring Championships

By Nathan Jendrick

FEDERAL WAY, Washington, March 30. ALL remained well Thursday night (read: no fire) on the third day of the Spring Championships taking place in Federal Way, Washington. It was a short plate of events being served up, with only two individual events firing off – the 400 IM and the 200 freestyle – along with the 800 freestyle relays.

Starting off the evening was an exciting women's 200 freestyle race which saw the lead change hands several times and saw a strong finish by a familiar face. Already having won the 800 freestyle and preparing for a long flight to China tomorrow or the World Short Course Championships, Kate Ziegler (FISH) showed she has what it takes in shorter distances as well.

Second at the 50 and 100 meter marks, and after dropping just into third at the 150, Ziegler used her phenomenal endurance base to shoot off the last wall and pass the competition, winning the title in 2:00.43. Rhi Jeffrey (USC) finished second in 2:01.53, Candace Blackman (SMU) was third in 2:02.09, and the top seed from this morning and leader at the 50 mark tonight, Chelsea Nauta (TBAY), finished fourth in 2:02.69.

On the men's side, the race was by far more controlled. Dominick Meichtry of Cal Aquatics started out in the lead and only distanced himself from the pack as the race went on, touching first in 1:48.84. Coming in behind at 1:50.15 was David Walters (TPHN).

Following the four-lap freestyles were the individual medleys. It seemed like if you were born in 1989, it was going to be your night. Both the female and male sides were won by Class of '89 alums, as was the women's runner-up.

The most exciting event of the night was on the women's side with Katie Hoff (NBAC) giving the American record a true scare. Under record pace by .69 at the 300-meter mark, Hoff fell off just slightly by the 350 (+.19) and finished with a winning time of 4:37.40 (+2.45).

While Hoff may have missed Kaitlin Sandeno's American record, and her own US Open record, she did set the first championships record of the meet. Hoff's time broke the 1988 mark of legend Janet Evans which stood at 4:38.58. In second place behind Hoff was hometown girl Ariana Kukors (KING) in a personal best time of 4:41.17.

Scott Clary (FAST) was the men's winner with a time of 4:25.98, beating out Vanni Mangoni (USC) who was slightly behind at 4:27.69.

In the 800 freestyle relays the SMU women's team of Celina Lemmen, Candace Blackman, Kathleen Roberts and Jennifer Blackman put together a strong effort, taking the team title in 8:14.88. Candace Blackman was the fastest split of the bunch in 2:02.43. The closest competition came from the team of Germantown Academy which finished in 8:17.79.

Closing out Day Three of these Championships was the men's relay which was won by the Bolles School team of Shaune Fraser, Alexander Martin, Omar Pinzon and Nimrod Shapira with a time of 7:37.05. The Bolles team won the battle with second place finishers Mecklenburg Aquatic Club whose last swimmer touched in 7:38.12.

Day Four events include the 100 meter backstroke, 100 breaststroke and 100 butterfly, the 400 freestyle and the 400 freestyle relay.

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