Michael Andrew Triumphs Twice on Day Three of Columbia Sectionals

Photo Courtesy: Keith Allen

Day three of the four-day 2015 Region VII Summer Sectionals meet in Columbia, Missouri offered more excitement during finals.

Four men made the Olympic Trials in the 100 meter breaststroke, with Michael Andrew from Indie Swimming leading the way with a time of 1:01.00, close to three seconds under the time standard of 1:03.69. Jack Brown from Columbia Swim Club held on tight to second place with a time of 1:02.86, while Uldis Tazans of Missouri State Aquatics took third with a time of 1:03.14. Michal Rokita (Unattached-Mizzou) also went under the Olympic Trials cut with a time of 1:03.45.

Andrew also won the last individual event of finals, the men’s 100 meter backstroke, with an Olympic Trials time standard finish of 55.82, more than one second under the cut of 57.19. Grant Kelton slid into second with a time of 57.45, while Alex Walton touched the wall at 57.62 to take third.

In the opening event of the night, the women’s 400 meter freestyle title was claimed by Katarina Sickle from Club Huskers with a time of 4:19.51. Second place went to Blake Balogh, clocking in with a time of 4:21.17 Posting a time of 4:22.14, Kira Zubar swam into third.

In the men’s 400 meter freestyle, Nicholas Davis from the University of Missouri raced to a first-place time of 4:00.37. Antonio Thomas earned second with a time of 4:02.28, while fifteen year old Dane Florea snatched third place with a time of 4:04.83.

The women’s 100 meter breaststroke was extremely eventful this evening, exhibiting five women that went under the Olympic Trials time standard of 1:11.49. Mizzou Tiger Katharine Ross touched the wall first with an impressive time of 1:08.29. Teammate Abigail Duncan raced into second with a time of 1:09.24. Third place went to fifteen year old Olivia Calegan from Greater Nebraska Swim Team, who swam a final time of 1:10.78. Bailee Nunn of Springfield Aquatics and Madison Strathman of Tsunami Swim Team also went under the Olympic Trials cut, with respective times of 1:11.21 and 1:11.46.

For the women’s 200 meter butterfly, fifteen year old Taylor Pike of Razorback Aquatic Club Aquahaw picked up her first win of the meet with a swim of 2:14.13, under the Olympic Trials time standard of 2:14.99. Second-place Elizabeth Walker, representing Columbia Swim Club, swam under the cut as well with a time of 2:14.95. Sharlene Brady held onto third with a time of 2:15.14.

On the men’s side, Mackenzie Darragh of the University of Missouri won his second event of the meet with a time of 2:02.10. His first win was the 400 meter IM the previous day. Teammates Daniel Graviss and Andrew Phillips touched second and third, respectively. Graviss posted a final time of 2:02.70, while Phillips went a time of 2:04.62.

Hannah Stevens from the University of Missouri stole the show in the women’s 100 meter backstroke, finishing first with a time of 1:00.04, more than three seconds under the Olympic Trials time standard of 1:03.39. Her first victory was in the 200 meter backstroke, where she won by a large margin as well. Bailey Grinter of Edwardsville YMCA also managed to break an Olympic Trials cut with her second place earning time of 1:03.36. Behind her, Courtney Caldwell took third with a time of 1:03.61.

The 800 meter freestyle relays took the stage tonight, with the women’s win being picked up by Rockwood Swim Club once again. On day two, the team won the 400 meter freestyle relay. Tonight, Jordan Stout, Sydney Zupan, Franceska Petrosino, and strong anchor Lauren Votava swam to a final time of 8:23.36. Club Huskers touched the wall second with a time of 8:27.40, while Lincoln Select Swimming took third place with a time of 8:29.86.

For the men’s 800 meter freestyle relay, the Columbia Swim Club team of John Ragsdell, Alexander Tschopp, Zachary Lorson, and Dane Florea raced to victory with a time of 7:51.28. Second place went to the Flyers Aquatic Swim Team with a time of 7:54.74, touching out third place finishers Swim Omaha and their final time of 7:55.26.

2015 Columbia Speedo Sectionals – Results

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