Photo by Griffin Scott
Editorial coverage for U.S. Senior Nationals proudly sponsored by Master Spas!
IRVINE, California, August 8.
Although the swimming community had dreams of a world-record attempt tonight after Tucson Ford’s Kevin Cordes blasted a 2:07.86 for third in the world this morning to set the U.S. Open mark, Cordes played it safe tonight to make sure that he earned a spot on the Pan Pacific Championship roster. He cruised home in a time of 2:09.48, having to hold off a big surge by Bulldogs’ Nic Fink. Fink managed to take second in 2:09.62 to move to ninth in the world, and could help Cordes do some special things in Australia later this month.
California’s Josh Prenot overtook PASA’s BJ Johnson down the final 50, 2:10.43 to 2:10.77. Johnson had started a charge at Cordes at the 100-meter mark, but faded down the stretch.
Ohio State’s DJ MacDonald (2:11.27), Badger’s Cody Miller (2:11.41), Nitro’s Will Licon (2:11.68) and Peoria Area’s Matt Elliott (2:12.05) also competed for the national title.
Donner’s Cody Taylor packed a wallop in the final 50 meters to win the B final in 2:12.73, while Tennessee’s Brad Craig finished second in 2:12.78. Both were big personal bests for the swimmers as neither had broken 2:13 before. Yucaipa’s Trevor Hoyt earned third-place honors with a time of 2:13.19.
Powel Crosley’s Jonathan Rutter managed to pick up a C final win in 2:14.45, even with Dynamo’s Gunnar Bentz roaring home down the stretch. Bentz ran out of real estate to overhaul Rutter, and settled for second in 2:14.93. Empire’s Shane McNamara wound up third in 2:15.70.
A final
B final
C final