USA Swimming Sectionals, Santa Clarita: Lilian Alvarez Closes Competition With Meet Record

SANTA CLARITA, California, July 25. LILIAN Alvarez gave the Santa Clarita long course sectional championships a fine send-off with a meet record in the women's 100 breaststroke.

Alvarez, representing Marin Pirates, swam a 1:10.24 to win the event and break Keri Hehn's five-year-old record of 1:10.48. Not far behind in second place was Gretchen Jacques with a 1:11.05. Finishing third in the event was Casey Mims with a 1:11.51.

In other finals on Sunday, Megan Rankin of Aquazots swept the distance events with a victory in the women's 800 freestyle, touching the wall in 8:50.75. Lynette Lim was second in 8:56.49 and Nicole Chang dipped under the nine-minute barrier for third place with an 8:59.18.

Ally Howe won the women's 100 back with a superb final 50 meters, touching in 1:04.74. She overtook Cheyenne Coffman, who was second in 1:04.88, and Andrea Reigel, who took third in 1:04.96.

The men's 100 back saw Chris Gibson use a similar tactic as Howe to win, taking the title in 57.68 over Chris Riley's 57.79. Peter Kline was third in 58.28.

The men's 1500 freestyle was won by John Mendoza with a 15:50.79. Zane Grothe battled Mendoza for the entire race, touching second in 15:51.00. Well back in third place was Alejandro Cisneros with a 16:14.81.

Takeshi Yamada swept the breaststroke events, winning the 100 breast in 1:03.37 over Keisuke Yagi, who finished second in 1:04.58. Azad Al-barazi was third with a 1:05.45.

Stephanie Christofferson took the women's 100 fly in 1:02.01, with Kate Davey finishing second in 1:02.33. Ally Howe made her second trip to the podium with a third-place finish time of 1:02.42.

Chris Gibson took the men's 100 fly in 55.70 over Chase Bloch's second-place time of 55.94. Erich Peske was third with a 56.16.

The 400 medley relay concluded the meet, with the Aquazots winning the women's event in 4:21.33. San Luis Obispo took the men's relay with a 3:57.09.

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