Photo by Griffin Scott
Editorial coverage for U.S. Senior Nationals proudly sponsored by Master Spas!
IRVINE, California, August 6.
SwimMAC’s Cammile Adams chased down her third straight long course national title with a sizzling time of 2:07.12. That jumped her up to sixth in the world this year ahead of Jiao Liuyang’s 2:07.28 from the Chinese Nationals Championships, and secured her spot on the Pan Pacific Championships roster to do some more damage. Her top time is a 2:06.52 from the 2012 Olympic Trials, and puts her in a spot to take on the Pan Pacs field.
Mission Viejo 17-year-old Katie McLaughlin put herself in position for that all-important second spot with a 2:08.74 to get ahead of Bulldogs’ Hali Flickinger’s 2:08.77 in the finale. McLaughlin moved to 19th in the world with that swim, while Flickinger stands 20th now. McLaughlin just missed her best time ever of 2:08.72 from World Juniors last summer, while Flickinger smashed her 2:09.31.
Stanford’s Maya DiRado, scratched into the championship finale when Elizabeth Beisel decided not to swim it, took fourth in 2:09.76, while SwimMAC’s Kate Mills took fifth in 2:09.88. Nova’s Emma Nunn (2:11.13), Flint Y’s Courtney Weaver (2:12.22) and NCAP’s Cassidy Bayer (2:12.30) also competed in the finale.
Kentucky’s Tina Bechtel moved to another stratosphere in the 200 fly with a B final-winning time of 2:09.67. Her previous best had been a time of 2:11.67 from sectionals just last month, and she moved right on past the 2:10 barrier. Bruins’ Noelle Tarazona placed second in the event with a 2:10.49 after leading through 150 meters, while Mount Pleasant’s Megan Kingsley took third in 2:11.90.
Crown Point’s Hannah Kukurugya pulled off a C final victory with a time of 2:10.20. That’s a personal best, clearing the 2:10.64 she set during junior nationals here in Irvine just a week ago. Tigers’ Kara Kopcso hit the wall in second with a 2:11.06, while Dynamo’s Kylie Stewart finished third in 2:11.40. That’s a lifetime best for both with Stewart undercutting 2:12 for the first time in her career.
