By Steven Munatones, Swimming World Open Water correspondent
FORT MYERS BEACH, Florida, June 12. CHLOE Sutton of the Mission Viejo Nadadores led from start to finish at the USA Swimming 5K National Championship in Ft. Myers, Florida, while Fran Crippen, her former teammate, did the same.
"This was a confidence-builder for me," said Sutton. "I just wanted to go [from the start]. I have grown a lot since Beijing. The Olympics really motivated me. I have a personal trainer now, and my body shape has changed. I have muscles now."
Sutton used her newly-developed strength to fight over the oncoming two-foot waves that pounded the field for the entire race. With an afternoon start, strong offshore winds came up and never let up throughout her 59 minute 29 second victory.
"It was frustrating, going over the waves. It challenged me a lot more."
Aja Van Hout (16) of Badger Aquatics Club, who finished eighth, agreed with Sutton.
"I thought, ‘When is thing going to end?' It was challenging, and I didn't know what to expect."
Despite the tough conditions, Sutton looked powerful and confident in the water as she aims for a more important victory in the upcoming 10K race that jointly serves as the USA Swimming and Swimming Canada world championship trials.
"I wanted to win, but this [5K] was a warm-up swim. I wanted to conserve energy because of the 10K swim on Sunday," said Sutton.
There are a lot of eyes on the 10K prize on Sunday where both the U.S. and Canada will select their world championship representatives for Rome.
"It was a comfortable pace," said Crippen who similarly looked very strong and confident in the men's race. "I felt smooth. I took some time off last year, but I stayed in shape [doing other things] and ran the New York Marathon. Plus, I trained last year with Coach Rose [at Mission Viejo] and am training now with Dick Shoulberg. So, you cannot not be fit."
On Sunday, Crippen's fitness will definitely be tested against a rather strong field, many of whom have high expectations to qualify for the World Championships. Andrew Gemmell (18) of Delaware Swim Team, placed third behind Kane Radford of New Zealand and Mission Viejo.
"I felt good," said Gemmell. "But I lost sight of Fran in those waves."
On Sunday morning, the waves are not expected to be as high or the conditions as rough, but with the results will mean much more.
In addition to Crippen, Olympian Mark Warkentin and North Carolina's Joe Kinderwater will bring some experience and world-class tactics into the 10K race. The field will also include Adam DeJong of Club Wolverine and Deni Cullom of Mission Viejo.
"It's going to be a great race on both the men's and women's side," said Catherine Vogt of Southern California, who will be the head open water coach in Rome. "Plus, we have a good group of Canadians, so it is going to be a tactical and fast race."
Top 8 Finishers – Female
1. Chloe Sutton (17), Mission Viejo Nadadores
2. Katura Harvey (20), North Carolina Aquatic Club
3. Nicole Vernon (16), Delaware Swim Team
4. Emily Brunemann (22), Club Wolverine
5. Emily Hanson (21), Club Wolverine
6. Loren Brandon (18), Mission Aurora
7. Ashley Miller (20), Unattached
8. Aja Van Hout (16), Badger Aquatics Club
Top 8 Finishers – Male
1. Fran Crippen (25), Germantown Academy Aquatics
2. Kane Radford (18), Mission Viejo Nadadores
3. Andrew Gemmell (18), Delaware Swim Team
4. Deni Cullom (17), Mission Viejo Nadadores
5. Alex Meyer (20), Unattached
6. Ian Rowe (19), Club Seminole
7. Tyler Sell (17), Comets Swim Team
8. Sean Ryan (16), Scenic City Aquatic Club