Leah Braswell Among Record Challengers on Night 4 of YMCA Nationals
On day four of YMCA Nationals, Leah Braswell won the 400 freestyle for the second year in a row. The York 16 year old posted a 4:17.76, a second shy of her own National record. Hickory’s Emmaline Peterson out touched Boise’s Abbey Erwin for silver as the two finished in 4:19.39 and 4:19.21.
The men’s 400 freestyle came down to the wire and ended in a tie. Hickory flexed its distance muscle again tonight as Peterson’s teammate Ross Dant registered a 3:58.90, finishing at the exact same time as Chesire’s Karl Bishop. The two were just a half second shy of the National record of 3:58.37, and Dant is only 15. Grant House of Countryside finished third in 3:59.52.
Another national record was challenged in the women’s 50 butterfly. Countryside’s Megan Sichterman charged to the wall in 27.40. Fanwood Scotch Plain’s Sarah Davis touched second in 27.63 and Athena Ye of Kishwaukee also cleared 28 seconds in 27.88.
Green Family’s Dominic Poletta snagged victory in the men’s 50 butterfly with a 25.16. Upper Main Line’s Billy Beard (25.19) and Greensboro’s Alex Strasser (25.21) were just behind.
After winning last night’s 50 breaststroke, Montclair’s Cha O’Leary was back tonight to take the 100 crown, touching in 1:11.58. Over a second behind was New Canaan’s Lizzy Colwell in 1:12.94. Brooke Perrotta of Cheshire secured bronze in 1:13.39.
Door County’s Maxwell McHugh was dominant in the men’s 100 breaststroke. The 16 year old stopped the clock in 1:04.28. Chris Bondarowicz (1:05.80) of Fanwood Scotch Plains and Red Bank’s Joseph Skimmons (1:06.28) completed the top three.
Wilton’s Ky-lee Perry topped the women’s 50 freestyle in 25.87. Lancaster’s Olivia Schmlezer touched second in 26.08 and third place went to Edwardsville’s Bailey Grinter in 26.31.
Wilton swept the 50 freestyles as Hugo Sykes touched first on the men’s side in 23.52. Rapid Area’s 15 year old Henry Schutte was runner up with a 23.64 and Beard was third in 23.78.
The Hickory women took home a team title, touching in 8:23.68 to win the women’s 800 freestyle relay. Faith Hefner, Madison Murtagh, Sophia Cherkez, and Anna Durak combined for that title. Robby Giller, Will Suchy, Lexo Walker, and Sykes put together a 7:42.78 to win the men’s relay for Wilton.
Full results available on Meet Mobile.