By Madilyn Sindelar, Swimming World College Intern.
The first night of the 2019 Speedo Sectionals Mt. Hood began with a night full of dominant performances.
Many events saw huge time drops and repeat finalists. Winning both relay titles of the night the Denver Hilltoppers currently sit in first place with a combined score of 714.
Many top eight finishers allowed the Tualatin Hills Swim Club to secure a second-place combined team score of 568. Rounding out the top three for the first night of Mt. Hood Sectionals is Elevation Aquatics with a notable 462 combined team points.
Women’s 800 Free
20-year-old Lucia Davis of Bronco Swim Club took this event with a time of 8:47.25, dropping over 12 seconds from her entry time. In a close race for second, Kathryn Shanley, from Foothills Swim Team posted a time of 8:56.94, and Haley Hill of Bronco Swim Club followed for third with an 8:57.30. Allison Bernier touched fourth with 9:01.60, followed by Sarah McClendon at 9:01.66, Millia Ruthven at 9:01.78, Mia Rankin at 9:02.98, and Ryan Falk at 9:08.74.
Men’s 800 Free
Kevin Thomas of King Aquatic Club placed in first with a time of 8:14.78. Second place was Luke Thornbrue at 8:23.92, followed by Ellis Bohon of Swim Neptune at 8:24.05 for third. Fourth place was Rhys Winter at 8:28.57, followed by Owen Ngan at 8:30.26, Jesse Haraden at 8:31.53, and Cooper Kiel at 8:33.86 and close behind for eighth was Tristan McFarland at 8: 33.9.
Women’s 100 Free
In the shortest event of the night, three were under 57 seconds. Winning the event from The Dolphins of Portland was Kaitlyn Dobler with a time of 56.53. Following closely behind was Elizabeth Cook from Tualatin Hills Swim Club posting a 56.81 and Katharine Berkoff from Missoula Aquatic Club at 56.97. Eleanor Beers almost a second behind the top three at a 57.84, followed by Jenna Smith at 57.91, Morgan Brophy at 57.99, Kathryn Shanley at 58.27 and Mackenzie Nedom at 58.33.
Men’s 100 Free
University of Denver Hilltoppers sprinter Hugo Sykes claimed the title in this event with a time of 51.22, followed closely by Casper Corbeau of Tualatin Hills Swim Club. Third place went to Ethan Luc who slammed into the wall with a time of 51.55. Still under 52, in fourth was Keelan Hart with a 51.83, fifth was Darragh Harris with a 52.12, following in sixth place was Harrison Lierz who touched at 52.50. Seventh place went to Kaden Miller (52.72) and eight place went to Cale Berkoff (52.34).
Women’s 200 Breast
Lauren Burckel from Cougar Aquatics crushed the field in with a 2:30.80 moving up from seventh place which she was seeded at. She was followed by 27-year-old Sakiko Shimizu of Phoenix Swim Club in second at 2:31.36. Katherine Adams touched at 2:32.74 for third. Charlotte Simon touched next at 2:33.48, ahead of Charity Pittard at 2:35.42. 100 free champion Kaitlyn Dobler had a quick turn around and came in at 2:36.40, Riley Courtney at 2:36.73, and Jessica Maeda at 2:39.52.
Men’s 200 Breast
Entered into the meet with a short course time and seeded 89th Daniel Chang claimed the crown in with a 2:15.20. He was followed by Harrison Wayner of Swim Utah touching in second at 2:18.19. Jacob Hand of Charger Aquatics touched at 2:20.51 for third. Closely behind Hand was Ryan Foote who finished at 2:20.62. Jack Hoagland touched next at 2:21.63, ahead of Andrew Carlson at 2:22.92. A second behind was Andrew Britton who came in at 2:23.98 and Harrison Fudge at 2:24.70.
Women’s 200 Fly
27-year-old from Phoenix Swim Club Sakiko Shimizu had enough left in the tank from her second-place 200 breast finish to unleash a 2:14.67 claiming the crown. Almost a second behind was 17-year-old Mikayla Seigal from Flatiron Athletics for second with a 2:15.64. Behind the to,p two Eizabeth Cook who placed second in the 100 free claimed third at 2:19.14. Katie Higgins placed after at 2:19.23, followed by Emma Lawless (2:20.92), Fay Marie Lustria (2:21.59), and Christina Pick (2:22.28).
Men’s 200 Fly
Swim Utah lands another finalist and Cole Giandinoto successfully captured the crown with a time of 2:02.39. Daniel Matheson of Scottsdale Aquatics also matched his prelims time taking second at 2:04.06. Essias Smith Mesa Aquatics closed out the top three with a time of 2:05.11. Next came Samueal Donchi with a 2:06.02, Jared Graham with a 2:06.35, Patrick Keough with a 2:06.51, Max Kreidl with a 2:07.17, and Lukas Miller closing out the top 8 with a 2:07.32.
Women’s 200 Free Relay
The first night of relays ended in a tie for second place. The “A” team from the University of Denver Hilltoppers secured first place with a time of 1:45.89. Tualatin Hills Swim Club and Elevation Aquatics slammed their hands into the wall at the same time and both taking silver with a time of 1:47.51. Following right behind was The Dolphins of Portland who successfully captured bronze posting a time of 1:47.65.
Men’s 200 Medley Relay
On the men’s side, the Denver Hilltoppers also secured another first-place finish with a solid lead clocking in at 1:32.94. Elevation Aqaitics received another silver following the Hilltoppers with a time of 1:35.80. Rounding out the top 3 was the Hilltoppers “B” team securing the bronze at 1:36.01.
Day 2 kicks off tomorrow with prelims in the morning at 9 a.m. PCT and finals in the evening at 5:30 p.m. PCT.