RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, August 25. THE United States had a strong outing during the third day of finals at the FINA World Youth Championships. The Red, White and Blue collected a pair of gold medals and added a two-three finish. Considering the fact that the American squad consists of only eight athletes who have been asked for multiple swims, the performances are that much more noteworthy.
The first triumph was supplied by Tyler Clary in the men’s 200 individual medley. Clary was in control throughout the race and pulled away during the final 50 meters to touch the wall in 2:03.62, more than a second quicker than the 2:04.69 turned in by Great Britain’a Xavier Mohammed. Clary was complemented on the female side by a victory from Caitlin Leverenz, who recorded a mark of 2:14.45. That swim distanced Leverenz from France’s Camille Muffat (2:15.29).
In the women’s 400 freestyle, the United States grabbed silver and bronze behind the outings of Jessica Rodriguez (4:14.45) and Leah Gingrich (4:14.49). They were bettered by only Spain’s Mireia Belmonte, who mined gold in 4:14.29. Clary was also fourth in the 800 freestyle, an event that was won by Poland’s Maclej Hreniak in 8:04.84.
Other action featured Germany’s Daniela Schreiber prevailing in the 100 freestyle with a time of 55.59, enough to defeat Romania’s Ionela Cozman (55.96). Russia’s Anastasia Zueva was the winner of the 200 backstroke in 2:15.27 and American Courtney Kalisz was fifth in 2:17.99. Earlier in the meet, Kalisz took gold in the 200 butterfly.
Italy’s Edoardo Giorgetti claimed top honors in the 200 breaststroke when his 2:15.44 held off teammate Luca Pizzini (2:15.56). The Ukraine’s Lyubov Korol placed first in the women’s 50 fly in 27.38 and Belgium's Yoris Grandjean won the men’s 50 freestyle in 22.74.
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