By Katie Lively, Swimming World College Intern
Oregon swimmers swept the top three spots of the men’s 100 breaststroke in what turned out to be a dominant day three for the state at the Western Region Sectionals. Unattached Oregon swimmer Jonathan Zoucha won the event in 1:05.59, followed by Caspar Corbeau of Tualatin Hills Swim Club (THSC) in 1:05.83 and Anthony Nosack of THSC in 1:06.11. It was one of five events won by an Oregon swimmer. Tualatin Hills Swim Club took three of the other four.
The women’s 100 breast was equally competitive as Jenna Beaury from Fort Collins Area Swim Team (FAST) emerged victorious in 1:11.49. Behind her, just one hundredth of a second separated Sarah Nicholls of Coeur D’Alene Area Swim Team (1:11.96) and Kaitlyn Dobler of The Dolphins Portland Swimming (1:11.97).
A meet record very nearly fell in the first event of the day, the women’s 100 back, as THSC’s Keaton Blovad snagged the victory in 1:02.78. The current record is 1:02.10. Right behind Blovad were Katherine Berkoff of Missoula Aquatic Club (MAC) in 1:03.13 and Mara Newman of Lake Oswego Swim Club (LOSC) in 1:03.29.
The men’s 100 back wasn’t far from seeing a record, either, as Jared Smith of the University of Denver Hilltoppers (TOPS) finished in 57.58 and missed the record by exactly a second. Unattached Arizona swimmer Reid Elliott was just behind him in 57.69 while Joshua Vedder of Scottsdale Aquatic Club (SAC) took third in 58.56.
While SAC did not win an event on the third day of the meet, the team took second and third in a women’s 400 free that stayed competitive to the end. Caitlyn Wilson of THSC out-touched the competition in 4:22.43. SAC’s Hayley Hill and Mckenzee Gordon were just hundredths of a second behind her in 4:22.50 and 4:22.78, respectively.
Seeding went out the window in the men’s 400 freestyle, with eighth seed Christopher Nicholson of RallySport Aquatic Club (RACE) jumping into first place in a time of 4:02.57. He improved his seed time by nearly five seconds. Behind him were fourth seed Aaron Sett of Foothills Swim Team (FST) in 4:03.04 and top seed Nathan Rock of RACE in 4:05.33.
Rounding out the trifecta of titles for THSC was Michelle Cefal in the women’s 100 fly, who placed first in 1:01.34. Kelly Huffer of SAC finished second in 1:01.93 while Josie Valette of RACE was third in 1:02.35.
All results can be found on Meet Mobile.
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