By Brian Palaschuk, Swimming World College Intern
It was a busy night last night at the 2018 RBC Canadian Junior Championships. Action packed racing took place in the 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 breaststroke, men’s 1500, and the 400 free relays.
The men’s side was highlighted by the ongoing battle between Cole Pratt and Joshua Liendo. Pratt struck back tonight with impressive wins in the 200 free and 100 back. World Junior champ Gabe Mastromatteo picked up another win in the 200 breaststroke, as did 400 IM champ Jacob Gallant. On the women’s side, Katrina Bellio and Emma O’croinen continued to impress in the freestyle, and we saw some new faces atop the podium in the breaststroke and backstroke events.
Women’s 200 Freestyle
Thirteen-year-old Bellio of Etobicoke has had a teriffic meet; she picked up her sixth medal in the 13-14 girls 200 freestyle, touching in a winning time of 2:05.03. Edmonton’s Christey Liang pushed her all the way for second in 2:05.36.
Camryn Stannard of Nanaimo got her first medal of the meet – a bronze – in 2:06.08.
O’Croinen did Bellio one better in the 15-17 category. O’Croinen collected her seventh medal tonight – another gold – with her quick 2:01.62. With that swim, she puts herself in a great position to represent Canada in the 4×200 at Junior Pan Pacs.
Brooklyn Douthwright and Chantal Jeffrey took silver and bronze.
Men’s 200 Freestyle
After three silvers in his individual events so far, Calgary’s Pratt got his first victory tonight in the 14-15 200 freestyle. Pratt touched in 1:53.99, which is 0.2 off of his personal best, but it was enough to get the job done.
Ian Friesen collected his second medal of the meet – a silver – in 1:54.97. Liendo was third in a 1:55.8.
In the 16-18 category, it was a convincing victory for Etobicoke’s Justin Konik. Konik took the lead early and never let up, closing with a fast 28.5 to win it in 1:52.69.
Kier Przyswitt and Raben Dommann rounded out the top 3.
Women’s 100 Back
It was deja vu in the 13-14 100 backstroke as the 200 back champ, Regan Rathwell, was golden once again. Rathwell touched in 1:03.78, while 200 back silver medalist Ella Varga was just behind with her with a 1:04.89.
Dylan Scholes finished a close third in 1:04.94.
The second new face atop the podium tonight was Montreal native Alicia Arcand, who collected gold in the 15-17 100 backstroke. Out with the field in 30.56, Arcand powered home to grab the win in a 1:02.92.
The early leader Haley Klenk was second, and Arcand’s teammate Asia Minnes finished third.
Men’s 100 Back
After his convincing win in the 200 freestyle, Pratt negative split his way to victory in the 14-15 100 backstroke. Pratt was out in a conservative 28.4 but blasted a 28.32 on the back half to pass Nainamo’s Tayden De Pol for a 56.72 and the win.
De Pol held on for second in a quick 57.47, and Liendo collected another bronze in 58.22.
The 16-18 race was a close, albeit a slightly pedestrian one. Stephen Hou touched for the win in 58.24 ahead of Christophe Alexander and Grayson Bernard.
Women’s 200 Breast
In the 13-14 girls 200 breaststroke, Jade Lo prevailed in a 2:38.74. That was a nice four second drop for Lo, who came into the meet with a 2:42.
Simone Barbeau and Ashley McMillan were second and third respectively.
It was a two-woman race in the women’s 15-17 200 breaststroke. Olivia Starzomski and Emma Myburgh went head to head from the get-go, with Myburgh leading through the 150 mark. Starzomski turned on the jets in the last 50 to pick up the win in 2:34.40, while Myburgh settled for second in 2:34.5.
Tina Guan had a strong back-half to collect the bronze in 2:35.51.
Men’s 200 Breast
Gallant, the 400 IM champ, collected another win tonight in the 14-15 boy’s 200 breaststroke. He was two seconds ahead at the 150 mark, but Aiden Luykenaar made a huge push in the last 50 with a 35.8 to Gallant’s 37.6. It was not quite enough, however, as Gallant got the win with a 2:24.1 to Luykenaar’s 2:24.8.
Colten Milne was third.
It was all Mastromatteo in the 16-18 event. He looked to be using this race to work on his back half, posting splits of 31, 36, 35, and 34 seconds to win it in a 2:18.58. With better pacing, Mastromatteo should have a lot left in the tank at Junior Pan Pacs.
Graeme Alyward and Apollo Hess closed out the top 3.
Men’s 1500 Free
The men also contested the 1500 freestyle tonight. In the 14-15 age category, 800 champ Alex Axon had a nice four-second drop to take the win in 16:00.92.
Eric Brown was second in 16:04.90.
Raben Dommann also had a nice drop, breaking 15:40 for the first time with his winning 15:39.17. Dommann was remarkably consistent, holding 31s the entire race.
Alexander Katelnikoff was a distant second in 16:56.59.
Women’s 400 Free Relay
Etobicoke was golden once again in the women’s 400 freestyle relay. This one came down to the touch, as University of Calgary was about a second ahead at 300; however, Hannah Henderson got the job done again, anchoring in 56.4 for the win.
Men’s 400 Free Relay
The men’s 400 free relay was won by the Cascade Swim Club. Pratt had the fastest split on the team – a 51.8 – and picked up his third gold medal of the night.
Club Aquatique Montreal came in second, led by the fastest relay split of the field – a very quick 50.81 from Guillermo Cruz Zuniga.
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Stay tuned for more excitement at the 2018 Canadian Junior Swimming Championships here.