By Cathleen Pruden, Swimming World College Intern
Action at the short course Speedo Sectionals kicked off in Ithaca. Thursday evening was only a distance session, but there was still plenty of fast swimming.
A tight race highlighted the women’s 1000 freestyle timed final. Swimming in lanes next to each other, Emily Ecker of Portland Porpoise Swim Club and Amanda Lauer of Phoenix Aquatic Club had an incredibly close race. Lauer led at the halfway mark in 5:04.54 to Ecker’s 5:06.27. Ecker was still two seconds behind with a 200 remaining, but the 13 year old closed her final 100 yards in 58.38 seconds to take the event 10:12.17 to 10:12.42. Omni Swim Club’s Sona Pinela dropped an impressive 16 seconds to round out the podium in a time of 10:19.42.
Tonight 38 men swam a timed final of the 1650 freestyle, though the race was not as close as on the women’s side. Top seed Jack McIntyre dropped nine seconds to win the first men’s event of the weekend. The 17 year old from Eastern Express Swim Team posted a time of 15:24.95. Second place went to Matthew Dinunzio in a 15:36.37. That swim was a 22 second drop for the 18 year old from the Jewish Community Center Sailfish. Seventeen year old Harry Ortof from Long Island Express placed third with a seven second drop and a time of 15:42.83.
Nation’s Capital has scored 35 points to top the standings on the women’s side. The Portland Porpoise Swim Club sits in second with 20 points. After one event, Badger Swim Club leads the way on the men’s side with 39 points, ahead of Eastern Express’ 26.
Prelims action tomorrow morning will include the 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 butterfly, 400 IM, and the 800 freestyle relay. The morning session begins at 8:30. Finals will take place at 5:30.
Full results are available on Meet Mobile: “2016 EZ Speedo Short Course Super Sectionals”
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