The American Short Course Championships, while not technically recognized by USA Swimming as a National Championship meet, still play a very important roll in the spring swimming calendar.
In the meet’s most important function, as an NCAA last-chance qualifier for the men, it was an unsuccessful day on Saturday, as nobody swam a time likely to earn a new spot at the NCAA Championships.
In its dual function, however, as a high-level club meet, it was quite successful in that Abbey Weitzeil swam two of the three fastest 50 yard freestyles in history, including a 21.12 that is a new American and U.S. Open Record in the event.
Among the other top swims on the day was a 14:55.04 from Nitro 17-year old Chris Yeager. That would be good enough for an NCAA invite were he in college, but he’s only a high school junior.
Another high school swimmer, Canyons Aquatic Club’s Stanzi Moseley, won the girls’ 200 free in 1:44.51, topping that race by three seconds. That’s a new lifetime best for the U.S. Junior National Teamer.
Californians dominated the women’s side of the meet on Saturday. Besides wins from teammate Moseley and Weitzeil, the Sunshine State will also return west with victories from 16-year old Aquazot swimmer Eva Merrell in the 100 yard back (53.06); and another from Olympian Jessica Hardy in the 100 yard breaststroke (58.98). Nikol Popov, who’s only 16, swam 1:00.30 for 2nd in that 100 breaststroke after a 59.69 in prelims.
Defending home turf for the Austinites was Dakota Luther of the Austin Swim Club in the 200 fly. She swam 1:56.35 to beat out a pair of other teenagers (Victoria Navarro – 1:59.08, Lauren Green – 1:59.89) under two minutes.
Other winners of the day:
- Women’s 200 free relay – Canyons, 1:32.48
- Men’s 200 free relay – Texas A&M, 1:19.84
- W. 200 IM – Abby Richter, Bch Heatwave, 1:59.36
- M. 200 IM – Austin van Overdam, Texas A&M, 1:46.64
- W. 1650 free – Kara Guenther, unattached, 16:49.13
- M. 200 free – Jeffrey Newkirk, Texas, 1:35.44
- M. 100 back – Samuel Straughan, SMU, 47.17
- M. 100 breast – Shotaro Shimaza, Golden West Swim Club, 53.02
- M. 200 fly – Coleman Allen, Canyons/Canada, 1:43.29
- M. 50 free – Kyle Robrock, Denver, 19.59
Full, live meet results available here. The meet will conclude on Sunday with the remainder of the short course yards events.
That is why Chris moved to Nitro, to get to the top. #nitroproud
California is Golden State, Florida is Sunshine State 🙂