USA Swimming Sectionals, Columbia: Kansas City Blazers Claim Team Titles; Rachel Ripley Doubles

COLUMBIA, Missouri, July 21. THE Kansas City Blazers brought home the men's and women's team trophies, while Missouri's Rachel Ripley won two events to wrap up the meet in Columbia.

Missouri's Rachel Ripley collected a fourth victory in the women's 200m IM. Ripley won the race handily in 2:18.71, ahead of Kansas Aquatics' Brittany Rospierski (2:20.95) and Kansas City Blazers' Hannah Musser (2:22.46). Ripley's Mizzou teammate, Igor Kozlovskij, added another medal to his collection as well, winning the men's race in 2:06.08. Grant Rogers of Topeka Swim Association was second in 2:08.32, while Parkway's Andrew Kilkenny placed third with a 2:09.39.

Razorback Aquatics' Jennifer Holtzen, who won the 800m free earlier in the meet, picked up the 1500m free title tonight in 17:03.03. Kansas Aquatics' Rebecca Swank came in second at 17:17.12, with Kansas City Blazers' Sara Lopez in third at 17:20.01. Tsunami's Tyler Fowler and Arkansas Dolphins' Minki Kang put on quite a show for the crowd, battling for the lead throughout the 30 lengths of the pool. Fowler held the lead for most of the first half, but Kang made a comeback and the race came down to the final touch, with Fowler coming out ahead, 15:57.24 to 15:57.36. Rockwood's Jonathan Glaser posted a 16:16.21 to earn third place.

Ripley wrapped up her meet with a fifth victory in the women's 50m free. She hit the touchpads in 26.42 to edge Rockwood's Lauren Votava (26.48) and Columbia's Kimberly Jasmer (26.50). Arkansas Dolphin Nicholas McCarthy picked up the men's sprint free title in 23.31, with Paul Le of Missouri State in second (23.74) and William Derdeyn of CSP Tideriders in third at 24.07.

The men's and women's 400m medley relays closed out the meet. Kansas City Blazers Hannah Angell, Bryce Hinde, Natalie Morris and Hannah Musser won the women's event in 4:17.71, while Missouri State's Paul Le, Aaron Dennis, Isaac McKnight and Luke Snow posted the quickest time in the men's race at 3:51.46.

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