MONTERREY, Mexico, July 11. DAGNY Knutson certainly has picked a grand stage to announce her arrival as a swimmer to be reckoned with heading into the next four years. Among some of the best and brightest of tomorrow, Knutson already has her third title at the World Youth Championships held in Monterrey, Mexico.
Knutson remained on fire at the meet, with her third title thus far, when she clocked a 2:12.97 in the women's 200 IM. Australia's Ellen Fullerton finished second in 2:14.73, while Russia's Victoria Andreeva touched third in 2:16.21.
Alexey Zinovyev of Russia earned the first title on offer during the night with a time of 2:14.78 in the men's 200 breast. Germany's Marco Koch placed second in 2:15.27, while Great Britain's Robert Holderness took third in 2:15.67.
A pair of sprint finales followed with Italy's Silvia Di Pietro winning the women's 50 fly in 26.77 and Australian Benjamin Treffers earning the men's 50 back title.
In the women's 100 breast, Australia's Samantha Marshall touched out Japan's Mina Matsushima, 1:08.72 to 1:08.99, while Russia's Ekaterina Baklakova finished third in 1:09.06.
Russia's Elena Sokolova then dominated the women's 400 free with a time of 4:06.30, while France's Margaux Fabre (4:12.44) and Katie Gardocki of the U.S. (4:13.00) placed second and third, respectively.
New Zealand's Orinoco Faamausili held off a pair of Italians to win the men's 50 free in 22.37. Luca Dotto took second in 22.63, while Luca Leonardi placed third in 22.70.
Great Britain's team of Robert Bale, Thomas Parris, Ryan Bennett and Pher Walker-Hebborn snatched the men's 800 free relay crown in 7:20.18.
In semifinal action, Australia's Grace Loh paced the women's 50 back in 29.22, while New Zealand's Daniel Bell led the men's 50 fly in 23.77.