Myles Brown clipped the long-standing South African record in the men’s 400-meter free to open South African Nationals in Durban.
Brown hit the wall in 3:46.08 for the win, moving to sixth in the world, and downing Ryk Neethling’s long-standing 1999 mark of 3:46.31 from the 1999 Pan Pacific Championships. Jarryd Baxter took second in 3:54.42 with Calvyn Justus earning third in 3:54.95.
Karin Prinsloo, the South African record holder with a 4:07.92 from last year, topped the women’s 400-meter free in 4:12.55. Marlies Ross claimed second in 4:18.06 with Caitlin Kat snaring third-place honors in 4:19.05.
In semifinal action, Vanessa Mohr clocked a 1:00.98 to lead the way in the women’s 100-meter fly, while Marne Erasmus qualified second in 1:01.57.
George Du Rand and Roland Schoeman tied for the top seed in the men’s 50-meter fly with 24.23s. Michael Andrew, the 15-year-old American professional swimmer who is enjoying a reconnection to his parents’ South African roots, qualified third in 24.29.
Marlies Ross turned in a 2:15.71 to pace the women’s 200-meter IM. Rene Warnes (2:17.89) and Kirsty Mc Laughlan (2:18.70) qualified second and third.
Trudi Maree claimed the top seed in the women’s 50-meter free with a 26.33. Erin Gallagher qualified second in 26.48 with Jamie Reynolds posting a third-seeded time of 26.70.
Cameron van der Burgh cruised to the top seed in the men’s 100-meter breast with a 1:00.30. He’ll be gunning for his fifth-ranked season best of 59.84 from the Eindhoven Swim Cup during finals tomorrow. Giulio Zorzi qualified second in 1:02.18 with Ayrton Sweeney clocking in with a third-seeded time of 1:02.35.
Results available on Meet Mobile.