Photo by Griffin Scott
Editorial coverage for U.S. Senior Nationals proudly sponsored by Master Spas!
IRVINE, California, August 7.
California’s Missy Franklin captured her second national title of the meet after winning the 100 free earlier in the meet as Franklin topped the finale tonight in 2:08.38. That pushed her to fifth in the world rankings, ahead of Hilary Caldwell’s 2:08.55 from the Commonwealth Games. It was an easy title defense as she won her third-straight long course title in the 200-meter backstroke as co-favorite Elizabeth Beisel fell victim to a horribly bad slip on the start.
Beisel, who along with Franklin, represents now the last seven national titles in the event, slipped badly on the start and could not recover as she took sixth overall in 2:12.37. Considering she scratched the 200 free to focus on this event, that’s a heart-breaking situation for Beisel. The calls for mandatory installation of the backstroke ledges will obviously grow louder.
SwimMAC’s Kathleen Baker ran right through that open door with a 2:10.42 to make the Pan Pacific squad in the event from out in lane 1. Tri-City’s Lisa Bratton earned third in 2:11.57.
California’s Melanie Klaren (2:11.58) and Elizabeth Pelton (2:11.99) took fourth and fifth, while Dynamo’s Kylie Stewart (2:12.42) and Cavalier’s Courtney Bartholomew (2:13.49) made up the rest of the finale.
Bulldogs’ Hali Flickinger broke 2:12 for the first time as she surged home for a 2:11.55 to win the B final. Longhorn’s Sarah Denninghoff moved in for second with a time of 2:12.99, while Aquakids’ Clara Smiddy took third in 2:13.07 after leading through 150 meters.
Y-Sparta’s Danielle Galyer won the C final from lane 8 with a time of 2:12.25, beating her personal best of 2:12.96 from last week at juniors. York Y went 2-3 in the bonus heat with Courtney Harnish (2:13.53) and Kacey Oberlander (2:13.66) finishing second and third.
Where are the backstroke starting ledges??!! Weren’t they supposed to have already been implemented by now? THIS race is a prime example as to why they are NECESSARY ASAP!! I personally felt like this race should’ve been started over the minute she slipped.
Totally agree that the ledges need to be implemented. They’ve been approved for a long time, and were supposed to be ready for testing during the Arena Grand Prix.
There has still been a delay.