Editorial coverage for U.S. Senior Nationals proudly sponsored by Master Spas!
IRVINE, California, August 9.
After guaranteeing her spot on the 2015 Worlds roster with her 50 fly win last night, North Coast’s Kendyl Stewart locked down her Pan Pacific Championship spot with an Olympic-distance win when she overhauled Western Kentucky’s Claire Donahue down the stretch. Stewart popped a personal best time of 57.98 to tie Ellen Gandy for 11th in the world rankings.
Donahue, who went out like a rocket with a 26.67 at the 50, could not hold off Stewart as she managed to still take second in 58.03. That’s good for 13th in the world rankings right behind Gandy and Stewart. Stanford’s Felicia Lee, the 2006 national title winner in this event, took third in a personal-best 58.14. That vaulted her to 15th in the world rankings.
Mission Viejo’s Katie McLaughlin (59.03), Kentucky’s Tina Bechtel (59.05), Louisville’s Kelsi Worrell (59.34), Indiana’s Gia Dalesandro (59.35) and Bulldogs’ Shannon Vreeland (1:00.00) also battled for the national title.
Tiger’s Amber Carter touched first in the B final with a 59.58, while Bruins’ Noelle Tarazona earned second in 59.71. NCAP’s Cassidy Bayer placed third in 59.89.
Tiger’s Kara Kopcso gave her club a second heat win by clipping FAST’s Bailey Nero, 59.92 to 59.99, for the C final win. Tualatin’s Michelle Cefal clinched third in 1:00.01.
A final
B final
C final