Four YMCA National Records Tumble on Day Three in Greensboro

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

On day three at the 2017 Long Course YMCA Nationals the first YMCA National record of the week came down. In prelims of the 50 breaststroke Max McHugh knocked two tenths off his own National record, a 28.06 swum last year, with a 27.83. Tonight the Door County swimmer couldn’t match that speed, but a 28.18 was still enough to pick up gold, adding to yesterday’s 200 breaststroke victory. That’s his third consecutive win in the sprint breaststroke. Finishing second was Darien’s Oliver Rus (29.00). Also dipping under thirty was Westfield’s Steven Warren (29.62).

At night in the women’s 50 breaststroke a second record fell. Michiana’s Madison Blakesley stopped the clock in 32.54. That time knocked .08 off of Triangle Area’s Olivia Ontjes‘ 32.64 set in 2014. Rachel Maizes of Fanwood Scotch Plains was runner up with a 33.06. Snagging bronze was York 15 year old Jessica McMurray in 33.17.

The record tumble continued into the 400 IM. York’s Leah Braswell defended her National title when she touched in 4:49.32. That time took nearly two seconds off the National Record, a 4:51.03 swum by Savanna Faulconer in 2013. It was a tight race for second. MetuchenED’s Sarah Hardy (4:57.55) edged Western North Carolina’s Mary O Soule (4:57.96).

One more record fell before the night ended. In the penultimate event, the women’s 200 medley relay, Fanwood Scotch Plains’ Marlise Moesch, Rachel Maizes, Monika Burzynski, and Darlene Fung touched in 1:57.21. That time snuck under the 1:57.36 that Butler posted last year. Also challenging the record was the Red Bank team of Marie Schobel, Emma Shaughnessy, Ginger Hansen, and Megan Judge in 1:57.42. The former National Record holders, Butler, swam the team of Camryn Forbes, Brooke Zukowski, Mallory Marzolf, and Taylor Petrak for third in 1:57.70.

Fourteen year old Matt Fallon of Somerset Valley entered the meet with a time of 4:42.76. This morning he posted a 4:34.46. Tonight Fallon knocked two more seconds off that time to finish in 4:32.52. That time now sits 11th on USA Swimming’s all time 13-14 400 IM list. Not far behind Fallon was Greensboro’s Ethan Knorr in 4:33.37. Finishing third was Patrick Butkovich of ME Lyons with his 4:35.92.

Forbes came up a half second short of her own National Record in the 100 backstroke. The Butler senior added the event’s gold to last night’s 200 backstroke victory with a time of 1:02.66. That is her fourth consecutive year winning the event. Three tenths behind her was Edwardsville’s Bailey Grinter in 1:02.91. Finishing third was 15 year old Paige Hetrick of Bradford.

In her second swim of the night Hetrick swam ahead of the field and to a national title. She won the 200 freestyle with a 2:03.48. Finishing second was Megan Glass of Blue Ash with a 2:05.43, just quicker than Fanwood Scotch Plains’ Marlise Moesch in 2:05.65.

In the men’s 100 backstroke 16 year old Brendan Burns of Upper Main Line touched in 56.91. There was a tie for second as both Countryside’s Noah Young and Wilton’s Jake Kealy came to the wall in 57.84.

Coffman’s Hank Siefert was first to the wall in the men’s 200 freestyle with a 1:52.49. Finishing second was Ross Dant of Hickory in 1:53.50. Chambersburg’s Jacob Greenwood rounded out the top three with a 1:54.20.

In the final men’s event Somerset Hills won the 200 medley relay national title in 1:46.01. Jack Alexy, Sean Foster, Lukas Scheidl, and Ryan Carkhuff were on that relay. Lakeland Hills’ Justin Yang, Chris Ruhnke, Matthew Luciano, and William Zhang were second in 1:46.39. Picking up bronze with a 1:47.27 was the Westfield team of Aedan Collins, Steven Warren, Colin Daniel, and Griff Morgan.

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