Editorial coverage for U.S. Senior Nationals proudly sponsored by Master Spas!
IRVINE, California, August 9.
Teri McKeever had to be ecstatic after the A final of the 100-meter back as the California Golden Bears went 1-2-3 in the event. Missy Franklin, who won her fifth straight national title in the event, overcame a bit of a tough start to win the event with a blistering 59.38. That time shot her to third in the event, behind only Emily Seebohm (58.92) and Mie Nielsen (59.36). That sets up an epic battle in Australia between Franklin and Seebohm at Pan Pacs.
Rachel Bootsma then clipped teammate Elizabeth Pelton, 1:00.71 to 1:00.76, for second-place honors. It’s an amazing finish for the U.S. to see that it was robbed of during NCAAs when Franklin wound up focusing on the freestyle events during her freshman year.
SwimMAC’s Kathleen Baker hit the wall fourth in 1:00.90 with Bulldogs’ Olivia Smoliga capturing fifth in 1:01.08.
Aquakids’ Clara Smiddy (1:01.37), Fresno’s Cheyenne Coffman (1:01.57) and Club Wolverine’s Ali Deloof (1:02.21) claimed sixth through eighth to close out the championship finishes.
California’s Melanie Klaren turned up the heat down the stretch to win the B final in 1:01.81. Longhorn’s Sarah Denninghoff finished third in 1:01.99 with Missouri’s Hannah Stevens earning third in 1:02.07.
Dynamo’s Kylie Stewart powered her way to a win in the C final with a 1:01.62, just edging Carmel’s Claire Adams (1:01.63) in the process. Y-Sparta’s Danielle Galyer finished third in 1:02.53.
A final
B final
C final