Distance Events Dominate Afternoon on Last Day of USA Swimming’s Junior National Championships

Photo Courtesy: Donna Nelson

The timed final distance events were a welcome addition between prelims and finals on the final day of USA Swimming’s Junior National Championships in San Antonio, Texas. The men’s 800 freestyle ran alongside the women’s 1500 freestyle. Although the seeded top 8 swimmers will race in finals, there were some notable swims in the mid-afternoon timed final session.

Women’s 1500 Freestyle

Gator Swim Club’s Kahra Williams finished first among the women swimming the timed finals afternoon session with a 16:44.07. Williams took an impressive 14 seconds off her 16:58.15 entry time, and finished over two seconds ahead of Schroeder YMCA’s Cassy Jernberg (16:46.37). Jernberg jumped from 27^th seed to a possible top-8 finish by cutting a remarkable 17 seconds off 17:03.67 entry time. Also in the hunt for a possible top-8 finish is Spence Atkins with a 16:46.76 timed final swim. The final top 8 will be awarded after the fastest women’s 1500 heat races in tonight’s finals.

NCAP’s 13-14 National Age Group record holder Isabella Rongione is the top finals seed in the women’s 1500 with a 16:32.25. Rongione is the favorite to win, but also in the hunt are Kendall Brent (16:33.87), Gabrielle Kopenski (16:33.93), Amanda Nunan (16:36.77) and Joy Field (16:37.04). The meet record, set by Gillian Ryan in 2012 is a 16:14.67.

Men’s 800 Freestyle

Scottsdale Aquatic Club’s Aaron Apel 8:09.46 800 free time, swum in the timed finals afternoon session, has a shot at earning a top 8 ranking. Apel cut 9 seconds off his entry time. Apel finished over a second ahead of Eastern Express’ Jack McIntyre, who jumped up the rankings with an impressive 8:10.70. Other notable swims that may crack the top 8 went to Danny Erlenmeyer (8:10.90), Simon Lamar (8:11.14) and T.C. Smith (8:12.94).

Chad La Tourette’s 2006 meet record (8:01.75) may fall tonight in the finals of the men’s 800 freestyle. Taylor Abbott has the best shot at rewriting the record, with his 8:04.70 meet entry time. Abbott’s best competition tonight will be on either side of him: Logan Houck (8:06.44) and Cody Bekemeyer (8:06.86).

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Jeffrey Li

8 years ago

Kahra Williams !!