One more YMCA National record fell on the fourth day of the 2017 Short Course YMCA National Championships.
The men from Sarasota ended the night lowering the team’s own 800 freestyle relay National record. Austin Katz, Matt Nutter, Brendan Firlie, and Arik Katz combined for a 6:34.89, a half second quicker than last year’s 6:35.21.
Powered by a 1:34.51 split from Grant House Countryside finished second (6:40.29). Also on that relay was Austin Theobald, Brice Dixon, and Noah Young. Wilton’s Noah Mascoll Gomes, Jake Kealy, Robby Giller, and James Mostofi placed third (6:42.20).
York’s Courtney Harnish started the night becoming a four time champion in the 500 freestyle. She finished in 4:40.27, just shy of her National record of 4:39.13, set in 2014. Her teammate Leah Braswell posted a 4:43.90 for runner up honors. Sarah Grinalds of Westport Weston finished third (4:48.53).
The men’s 500 freestyle turned out to be among the races of the night. Red Bank’s Christopher Smith went out strong and was under National Record pace through the 300 yard mark. Hickory’s Ross Dant then made his move and ran down Smith. The 16 year old touched first in 4:21.33. Wilton’s Robby Giller and Coffman’s Hank Siefert blasted by Smith in the final 50 yards to place second and third in times of 4:23.37 and 4:23.54, respectively. Smith wound up fourth (4:24.07).
Cheshire’s Brooke Perrotta went two for two on breaststroke events this week, finishing in 1:00.73 to win tonight’s 100. Lizzy Colwell of New Cannan touched second (1:02.18), just ahead of Rachel Maizes of Fanwood Scotch Plains (1:02.39).
While he fell short of his own National Record, Maxwell McHugh of Door County became a three time champion in the men’s 100 breaststroke. The senior stopped the clock in 53.44. Eau Claire Wisconsin’s Paul DeLakis out split McHugh in the final 50 yards and finished second in 54.19. Chris Bondarowicz of Fanwood Scotch Plains earned bronze (55.58).
In a tight 50 free final it was Bailey Grinter of Edwardsville who got her hand to the wall first (22.75). Lancaster and Fairfield’s Olivia Schmelzer was just .03 behind with a 22.78. Schroeder’s Jade Knueppel finished third (22.90).
Rapid Area’s Henry Schutte sprinted to a 20.19 to win the men’s 50 freestyle ahead of Watertown’s Maclean Crossley (20.33) and Boise’s Thomas Roark (20.65).
Powered home by Harnish, the York women won the 800 freestyle relay. Braswell led off followed by Marisa Gingerich and Marget Shelly. The team touched in 7:16.91. Greater Spartanburg’s Sydney Baker, Maegan Rudolph, Emily Horomanski, and Jessi Snover touched second in 7:20.02. Cheshire’s Elizabeth Boyer, Perrotta, Mia Leko, and Alexandra Tyler were third (7:22.68).
With one day to go, York leads the women’s team scores with 243 points, followed by Boise (187), Spartanburg (181) and Cheshire (173).
The Sarasota men have a commanding lead of 360 points, ahead of Wilton (194), Upper Main Line (193) and Birmingham (162).
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