By Dr. Buky Chass
NATANIA, Israel, July 27. THE Israel Long Couse Nationals came to a close at the Wingate Institute this weekend.
For the men, Nimrod Shapira Bar-Or won the 50, 100, 200 and 400 free events with his top time coming with a 49.89 in the 100 free. Meanwhile, Gal Nevo won the 200 and 400 IMs, and put up a 2:01.08 to win the 200 fly. Danny Melnik took the 100 and 200 breaststroke events with a 1:03.11 in the shorter distance swim. Imri Ganiel claimed the 50 breast crown with a 29.11, while Yonathan Kopelev scored the only major upset of the meet with a 55.95 to 56.40 victory over Guy Barnea in the 100 back.
Among the women, Amit Ivry topped the 50 fly in 26.66 and also won the 100 free and 200 IM. Amit Bachar took home the 200 fly win with a 2:15.08, the second best time by an Israeli. Vered Berochovsky holds the national record with a 2:14.24 from 2001.
Tom Kramer, who is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Israel, set several Israel National Age Group records for 16-year-olds throughout the meet. He posted the following times: 100 fly (55.40), 200 fly (2:01.66), 200 free (1:52.55) and 200 IM (2:06.56), all of which are Israeli National Age Group records.