Mastromatteo, O’Croinen Dominant on Day 3 of Canadian Junior Championships

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Canada’s top juniors were back in action tonight on day three of the 2018 RBC Canadian Junior Championships. Swimmers contested the 100 breaststroke, 200 butterfly, mixed medley relay, and the women’s 1500 freestyle.

Highlights include another victory for Emma O’Croinen, who is having a terrific meet, as well as World Junior champ Gabe Mastromatteo’s run-away win in the men’s 100 breaststroke. There were also some big upsets in the 200 fly. Fifteen-year-old Laura Wilar beat out World Junior finalist Victoria Kwan. In the boys 14-15 race, rising star Michael Sava dropped a second from his best time to supplant junior standouts Cole Pratt and Josh Liendo.

Women’s 1500 Free

It was outside smoke last night in the 13-14 girls 1500 freestyle. Kyla Gage hacked almost 30 seconds off her best time from lane one to move up all the way from seventh to first place.

Second seed Gabrielle Dunn touched close behind for silver, and Naeva Scott Bouris came in third.

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It was all O’Croinen in the women’s 15-17 1500. She won the race in “Ledeckian” fashion, touching almost 40 seconds head of the nearest competitor. Her time of 16:35.47 is five seconds faster than she swam at trials last week, and O’Croinen will have another chance to improve on it at the Junior Pan Pacs in three weeks.

Kyla Ross and Chantel Jeffrey rounded out the podium.

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Women’s 100 Breast

Ashley McMillan got the job done last night in the 13-14 100 breaststroke, courtesy of the second fastest last 50 of the field – a 38.64. The fastest back 50 belonged to second place finisher Simonne Barbeau, who brought it back in a slightly faster 38.62.

Blake Currie also stormed home for bronze with her 1:14.77.

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In the 15-17 race, the back half was key once again. Emma Myburgh of Victoria turned with the field in a 33.89 but blew past everyone on the back half to win in 1:11.56.

Olivia Starzomski was second in a 1:11.87, with Asia Minnes finishing third.

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Men’s 100 Breast

The men’s 14-15 100 breaststroke came down to the wire tonight as Calgary teammates Aiden Luykenaar and Kameron Brill touched just 0.04 apart in 1:06.04 and 1:06.08 respectively.

Third place finisher Michael Schmidt was just behind for third in 1:06.20.

Note that Ramy Ghaziri actually touched only .01 behind Luykenaar, but is ineligible for medals as he is representing Lebanon.

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While O’Croinen’s 1500 resembled a Ledecky finish, Mastromatteo echoed Adam Peaty with his dominating win in the 16-18 100 breaststroke. The World Junior champ’s 1:02.00 was over two seconds ahead of second place finisher Alexander Milanovich. Like O’Croinen, Mastromatteo is not done for the summer; look for him to improve on that time at Junior Pan Pacs.

Graeme Alyward was third in 1:05.22.

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Women’s 200 Fly

Catherine Minic of Grand Praire picked up her second win of the meet in yet another close race. Minic faded slightly in the last 50 as Isabella Brunoro came charging home, but it was Minic who held on for the win in 2:19.63 to Brunoro’s 2:19.83.

Katrina Bellio grabbed her fourth medal of the meet, touching in 2:21

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In this night of action-packed races, yet another race came down to the touch in the 15-17 200 fly. Montreal’s 15-year-old Lora Willar and World Junior finalist Kwan were neck and neck all 200 metres, never touching more than .09 apart. It was Wilar, however, who was in front from start to finish, winning with a 2:15.51 to Kwan’s 2:15.59.

Genevieve Sasseville was third in 2:17.64.

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Men’s 200 Fly

In a night full of great racing, perhaps the best race came in the 14-15 boys 200 butterfly. The final featured double gold medalist Joshua Liendo; however, it was Michael Sava and Cole Pratt who went head to head this time around. Sava led through 150 metres, but Pratt made a hard charge with a quick 31.91 in the last 50. It was not enough, however, and Pratt settled for silver once again as Sava touched in 2:02.73 for the win.

Liendo picked up his his first bronze of the meet in 2:05.99.

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In rare fashion, the 16-18 competition was actually slower than the 14-15 race. Dimitry Lim touched first in 2:03.49.

He was followed by Raben Dommann and Ray Yang.

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Mixed 400 Medley Relay

After two silver medals two nights ago, Etobicoke got the relay gold tonight in the mixed medley relay with their 4:01.61. They had solid splits all around, including a fast 56.06 anchor from Hannah Henderson.

Point Claire swim club was ahead at the 200 exchange, but fell to second on the back half, touching in a 4:03.2.

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Click this link for live results: Live Results

Stay tuned for more excitement at the 2018 Canadian Junior Swimming Championships here.

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