More YMCA National records fell tonight in Greensboro at the 2017 Long Course YMCA Nationals.
The first men’s event tonight brought the second National Record of the day. In the 400 freestyle Hickory’s Ross Dant raced to a 3:56.82. The 16 year old took the National mark from Hank Siefert, a 3:58.37, swum in 2015. Siefert, who swims for Coffman, touched second with a 3:58.95. Chambersburg’s Jacob Greenwood (4:01.87) earned bronze.
Midway through the morning session the energy level in the Greensboro Aquatic Center rose when Door County’s Max McHugh blasted a new 100 breaststroke YMCA National record. The 17 year old touched in 1:02.68, three seconds ahead of the field and a tenth under the 1:02.80 National Standard set in 2013. Tonight McHugh knocked another smidge off that mark, lowering his time to a 1:02.64. He adds that to his 50 breaststroke National Record he lowered yesterday. Oliver Rus of Darien finished second in 1:04.65. Third place was Lakeland Hills’ Chris Ruhnke (1:05.67).
Wilton’s Catherine Buroker was first to the wall in the women’s 400 freestyle. Her 4:20.91 just edged the 4:21.00 posted by Nicole Welch of the North Shore. Finishing third was Anna Durak of Hickory in 4:24.03.
The top trio all touched within .04 of each other in the women’s 50 fly. Ultimately the National Title went to Monika Burzynski of Fanwood Scotch Plains in 27.81. Megan Sichterman of Countryside was .02 behind in 27.83. Another .02 back was Red Bank’s Ginger Hansen (27.85) taking third.
Upper Main Line’s Brendan Burns got to the wall first in the men’s 50 fly with a 25.04. Champaign’s Alex Shilts earned runner up honors in 25.19. North Shore’s Oliver Zmetrovich (25.25) was third.
Continuing a great week of swimming for Cheshire, Elizabeth Boyer raced to the top of the pack in the 100 breaststroke. The 17 year old finished in 1:12.94. New Canaan’s Lizzy Colwell finished second in 1:13.34 and had ME Lyons’ Kate Overbey (1:13.45) on her tail.
Bailey Grinter separated herself from the pack in tonight’s 50 freestyle. The Edwardsville senior clocked a 25.90. Fanwood Scotch Plains’ Darlene Fung (26.33) and Countryside’s Megan Sichterman (26.46) were second and third.
Sixteen year old Henry Schutte finished just shy of the National Record in the men’s 50 freestyle. The Rapid Area swimmer touched in 23.06, just .04 shy of Joe Bonk‘s 23.02 National Mark swum in 2012. Tri-Hampton’s David Curtiss (23.51) and Reading Berks’ Colin Gwiazdowski (23.99) rounded out the top three.
To end the night York’s 800 freestyle relay blew away both their seed and the field. Madison Nalls, Marisa Gingerich, Marget Shelly, and Leah Braswell combined for an 8:24.06. Somerset Valley’s Catherine Meisner, Megan Bull, Aziza Ganihanova, and Grace Palfreyam touched second in 8:29.09. Just behind them in 8:29.16 Cheshire finished third with the team of Boyer, Tara Tiernan, Mia Leko, and Alexandra Tyler.
The final victory of the night went to the Powel Crosley YMCA team of Carson Burt, Dan Cashell, Will Schwieterman, and Charles Leibson in 7:48.49. They just edged Wilton’s Tim Joyce, Will Suchy, Ethan Murray, and Jake Kealy who touched in 7:48.54. Red Bank was third in 7:50.63 with the quartet of Sammy Rennard, Connor Wright, Joey Huber, and Max Walther.
Congratulations