Ivan Puskovitch, Chase Travis Win Open Water Juniors 7.5K

Photo Courtesy: Cathleen Pruden

The final day of action from the 2018 USA Swimming Open Water National Championships continued from Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Arizona, where the Junior National 7.5K took place on Sunday morning.

The races were pushed earlier in the day in anticipation of high temperatures in the afternoon.

Ivan Puskovitch of Pennsylvania won the junior national title in the 7.5K event, finishing in 1:31.33.482.

Ethan Heasley of Hillsboro (1:31.43.283) finished second, followed by Noah Brune of Mission Viejo (1:31.56.143).

Puskovitch qualified for world juniors two years ago and was looking to repeat that opportunity.
“I qualified to represent the U.S. two years ago,” Puskovitch said in a post-race interview. “My main mission was to re-qualify … and I am really proud that I have that opportunity.”

Rounding out the top eight were Mason Nyboer of Tiger Aquatics (1:32.02.334), Sawyer Grimes of Sandpipers of Nevada (1:32.11.064), Joseph Tepper of Egg Harbor (1:32.16.775), Luke Thornbrue of Hillsboro (1:32.26.135) and Caleb Gould of Sandpipers (1:32.29.963).

Chase Travis, 15, won the women’s 7.5K race. The National’s Capital Swim Club swimmer finished in 1:36.02.779.

“I learned not to go out too fast (from the 10K),’” Travis. “A lot of things happen in a race and you just adjust.”

Travis finished ahead of Leah Degeorge of Bolles (1:36.12.259) and Liberty Williams of Riverside Aquatics (1:38.17.517).

Rounding out the top eight were Hayley Pike of Razorback Aquatic Club (1:38.20.454), Chloe Freeman of Sandpipers of Nevada (1:39.99.720), Julissa Arzave of South Bay (1:39.42.513), Mary Pruitt of Irish Aquatics (1:40.20.950) and Polina Rukosuev of Fast Lane Aquatics in 1:40.27.450.

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