Photo by Peter H. Bick
Editorial coverage for U.S. Junior Nationals proudly sponsored by Q Swimwear!
IRVINE, California, August 3. EMILY Kopas and Todd Owen walked away with junior national titles in the 200-meter breaststroke at the USA Swimming Junior Nationals.
Women’s 200 Breast
Swim Fort Lauderdale’s Emily Kopas raced her way to a 2:29.53 to top a disqualification-laden championship heat. That’s a large amount of time cut from her personal best of 2:31.61 set at sectionals just a month ago. Aspen’s Emma Cain, a 14-year-old transplant from Great Britain who represents GBR internationally, took second in 2:30.25. Cain is now in the top 10 all time in the 13-14 age division with that swim. Livonia’s Miranda Tucker finished third in 2:31.81.
Y-Sparta’s Savanna Faulconer (2:32.47), SwimMAC’s Maija Roses (2:32.49) and Ozaukee’s Katie Drabot (2:33.61) placed fourth through sixth in the championship heat. Nashville’s Tatum Wade and Spokane Waves’ Emma Schanz both drew disqualifications.
Atlantis’ Lindsey Horejsi cut a huge amount of time off her personal best with a B final time of 2:32.33 to win. That’s down from her 2:34.63 this morning in prelims. Bellevue’s Kim Williams chased down second in 2:33.51 with Lincoln Select’s Ashley Pales just behind in third with a 2:33.65 in the consolation heat.
Berkeley’s Erin Barry held off a hard-charging Julia Poole of Triangle in the C final for a win, 2:35.20 to 2:35.34. That’s a best for Barry, taking down her 2:35.73 from last summer, while Poole lowered her 2:35.86 from prelims. Pine Crest’s Lindsey Swartz took third in the bonus with a 2:35.69.
A Final
B Final
C Final
Men’s 200 Breast
Cardinal’s Todd Owen emerged from a close contest in the championship finale as he clocked a time of 2:16.25. That’s his first time under 2:17 as he beat his previous best of 2:17.01. Arizona Marlins’ Matthew Anderson raced his way to second in 2:16.71 He also broke 2:17 for the first time, lowering his best of 2:17.29 as he placed second in the finale.
Penn Charter’s giant Reece Whitley, the 13-14 national age group record holder with a 2:16.48 from the Middle Atlantic senior states, came up just a bit shy of the 6-8 swimmer’s record with a third-place time of 2:16.81.
HEAT’s Ross Palazzo (2:17.63), SwimAtlanta’s Joseph Portillo (2:18.16), Xcel’s Ethan Browne (2:18.23) and Current’s Tommy Brewer (2:20.15) finished fourth through seventh in the finale. PASA’s Curtis Ogren drew a disqualification in the event.
Barracuda’s Daniel Chang (2:18.71) edged Canyon’s Peter Kropp (2:18.78) and Minnetonka’s Corey Lau (2:18.85) for the B final win. Chang just missed is personal best of 2:18.69 set at sectionals a month ago.
Brea’s Derek Kao won the C final by half-a-second with a time of 2:19.32, while Rockwood Swim’s Phillip Willett placed second in 2:19.86. Aquazot’s Judd Howard rounded out the top three in 2:20.38.
A Final
B Final
C Final