Columbus Sectionals Ruled By Buckeyes on Day One

Photo Courtesy: Ohio State Swim Club

The 2015 Speedo Sectionals in Columbus, Ohio began this evening with a host of Ohio State Buckeye swimmers ruling their home pool. In fact, six of tonight’s eight victors swim or have swum for the Ohio State University. Undoubtedly, they found it comforting in the confines of Ohio State’s McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion.

Lindsey Clary of the Ohio State Swim Club pulled away to dominate the women’s 800-meter free in 8:39.13. Her time destroyed the Olympic Trial cut by just over ten seconds. Erin Dunseith vaulted two spots from her seed to take second in 8:58.04, while Jessica Wolf wound up third in 9:03.28.

A trio of Ohio State Buckeyes topped the women’s 200-meter back, with Camey Rabold winning the with a 2:14.53. Kaitlyn Ferrara touched just behind Rabold to take second in 2:14.67. Halime Zulal Zeren took third with a 2:15.06.

Andrew Appleby clocked a 2:01.78 in the men’s 200-meter back to win the event ahead of Cole Bateman’s 2:02.34. Austin Quinn ended up third in 2:03.28. All three times were Olympic Trial qualifying times.

Ashley Volpenhein (25.86) narrowly edged Kaitlyn Jonson (25.99) to win the 50-meter free. Volpenhein is one of the most prized Ohio recruits in the class of 2017. Macie McNichols posted a 26.03 to round out a tight top three.

Matt McHugh busted out a 22.96 to win the men’s 50-meter free. Ohio State’s McHugh was the only competitor under the 22-second mark, while Thomas Thatford (23.33) and Lucas Brock (23.59) finished second and third, respectively.

In the men’s 1500-meter free, Christian Imbus gutted out a victory in 16:02.57, which qualified the 16-year old for the Junior National meet. Imbus began to separate himself from the pack around the 500-meter mark and never looked back. Arthur Conover added three seconds from his seed time to place second with a 16:10.95. Kyle Lichtenberg made the podium with a 16:16.42.

Another Ohio State Buckeye, Taylor Vargo, won the women’s 200-meter breast with a dominant 2:28.44. She held on to a three second lead after the first 100 meters over the next closest competitor, Rachel Waite (2:31.97). Amy Bopp took third with a 2:33.29.

Former Ohio State swimmer and OSU’s 200-yard breaststroke record-holder Elliot Keefer won the 200-meter breast with a 2:16.95. He finished just ahead of Miami University’s Evan Bader, who touched to a 2:18.06. Dmitry Dolgov scored bronze with a 2:18.44.

Results:
2015 Speedo Sectionals Columbus, Live Results – Results

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