Cecilia Bertoncello, Others Set National Records at Argentina Nationals

Cecilia Bertoncello, Joaquín Serra, and Santiago Grassi were able to spice things up in Santa Fe, Argentina at Argentina Short Course Nationals. The first day of the meet was surprisingly uneventful, with all the national records safely intact. It turns out, the Argentinians were just getting warmed up.

Day two began with a bang when Cecilia Bertoncello tied the national record in the women’s 50-meter fly with a winning time of 27.62. Maria Belen Díaz has held the record since September of 2014. Bertoncello now holds two individual national records (50-meter back). Tamara Pons took second in 28.67, while Manuela Morano finished third in 28.83.

Joaquín Serra moved up a spot to take the crown in the men’s 50-meter breast. In addition to winning the race, his 27.70 is also a new national record. Walter Acriprete’s record 27.81 was surpassed for the first time since 2003. Gabriel Morelli matched his prelims time of 28.19 to get second, and Nicolas Petelin dropped a half second to get third with a 28.39.

Santiago Grassi, coming off his 50-meter fly win last night, set a new national record while winning the men’s 200-meter fly. He bested the Gaston Rodriguez’s record of 1:57.34 by over a second with his 1:56.30. Nicolas Defarri posted a 2:00.74 to get second, and Santiago Bergliaffa finished third in 2:03.02.

The women’s 800-meter free was topped by two Argentine up-and-comers Delfina Pignatiello, 15, and Delfina Dini, 14. Pignatiello held the lead the entire race and wound up finishing with an 8:44.11. Dini took second in 8:52.53. Catali Berraud Galea clocked an 8:59.47 to get third.

Malena Lair Ferrari cruised to a 2:18.37 victory in the women’s 200-meter backstroke. Maria Victor Houitte was the next closest finisher, coming in at 2:24.42. Oriana Lippi Nocetti swam a 2:26.46 to round out the top three.

In the men’s 100-meter IM (yes, there’s still 100 IMs), Joe Alberto Vera Ortiz Molina just missed the national record with his 55.99. He won in a tight battle over Gabriel Morelli (56.83). Joaquín Serra came in third in 57.54.

Martin Naidich (3:48.53) stormed back on the last 100 meters of the 400-meter free to defeat 800-meter free champ Ivo Cassini (3:49.97). Third-place finisher Martin Carrizo Yunges was the only other swimmer under four minutes, finishing in 3:53.84.

Aixa Triay busted out a 55.56 to top the women’s 100-meter free in convincing fashion. Ariana Ghirard took second in 57.81, and Cecilia Bertoncello wound up third with a 58.44.

Thomas Joaquin Silva dominated the men’s 100-meter back with a 55.67. Juan Cruz Teres swam a 58.36 to get second, centimeters ahead of third-place finisher Facundo Nieto (58.37).

After a controlled prelims swim, Virginia Bardach Martin dropped nearly 19 seconds to win the women’s 400-meter IM in 4:45.30. Magdalena Metti swam a 4:59.17 to get second, while Fiamma Peroni took third in 5:02.46.

Argentina Short Course Nationals continue through May 17.

2015 Argentina Short Course Championships: Day Two – Results

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