Dutch Nationals: Pieter van den Hoogenband Pops Strong 50 Free
EINDHOVEN, Netherlands, June 6. PIETER van den Hoogenband popped a time of 22.21 to win the men's 50 free at the Dutch Nationals held in Eindhoven during the first morning of finals.
The time moved him up into the top 15 in the world this year as he continues his march towards another Olympic run.
In the women's 50 free, Marleen Veldhuis posted a top time of 24.67, while Hinkelien Schreuder finished second in 24.81. Ranomi Kromowidjojo took third in 25.01 with a national age group record.
Femke Heemskerk, who earlier set the Dutch record in the women's 200 IM with a 2:15.52 during last night's prelims, matched Minouche Smit's 1999 former record of 2:15.73 to win the event this morning.
Melanie Nocher of Swim Ireland upended Irish teammate Aishling Cooney, who led qualifying with a 2:14.59, by clocking a meet-record time of 2:13.84 in the women's 200 back. Cooney settles for second in 2:13.89.
Nick Driebergen dominated the men's 200 backstroke with a winning time of 2:00.46, seven seconds ahead of teammate Henk van Niejenhuis (2:07.61). Meanwhile, Robin van Aggele took the 100 breast title in 1:02.16, slower than the evening preliminary time of 1:02.09. van Aggele would go on to win the men's 200 IM as well in 2:06.16. Additionally, Lia Dekker touched in 1:10.08 to claim the women's 100 breast.
In the 200 fly events, Joeri Verlinden grabbed the men's title in 2:02.43, while Lorna Cummins won the women's title in 2:16.27.
In the 400 free timed finals, Sebastiaan Vershuren won the men's title in 3:53.45, while Rieneke Terink took the women's crown in 4:21.57.