Lochte Collects 2 Medals In 2017 Masters Nationals Debut

2017 US MASTERS’ SWIMMING SPRING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHPIPS

Day 2 of the United Masters Swimming National Championships meet saw several professional stars take to the pool with notable tune-up swims. 32-year-old Mike Alexandrov and Golden Road Aquatics teammate Ryan Lochte dueled in two events in Riverside today, bringing the pair’s record to 1-1 heading into day 3.

Alexandrov took the men’s 100y breaststroke event by less than half a second, clocking a men’s 30-34 age group winning time of 53.55 to Lochte’s mark of 53.92. Splits were extremely similar going out, with Alexandrov touching in 25.18 to Lochte’s opening 50 of 25.15. But the former Bulgarian national swimmer had more gas on the way home, notching a back-half split of 28.37 to Lochte’s 28.77. Ed Moses holds the age group masters record at 53.44 from 2011.

For 32-year-old Lochte, who is eligible to swim at this Masters-sanctioned event while still on suspension from USA Swimming that excludes him from this summer’s World Championships, today’s 100 breaststroke outing checks-in as his 2nd fastest performance ever. The former Florida gator has rarely swum the event since 2008, but his 53.92 outing today ranks only behind his personal best of 53.27 from 2007 Short Course Nationals.

In the 2nd contest between Lochte and Alexandrov, Lochte indeed got the upper hand, winning the 200 IM event for their age group by over 6 seconds. Lochte notched a winning time of 1;44.21 to Alexandrov’s 1:50.62 to collect his first gold of these Masters Nationals. Lochte is set to race the 100 IM, 50 backstroke, 100 backstroke and 200 freestyle yet at this competition.

The non-professional fleet of swimmers also produced notable results through day 2, with 2 women knocking down masters national records. 38-year-old Noriko Inada managed to shave .01 of a second off of her 25.05 national record in the women’s 35-39 masters record to bring it down to 25.04 en route to gold.  Inada hails from Phoenix Swim Club and also holds her age group’s masters national records for both 50 and 100 yard backstroke.

Jill Hernandez of North State Masters cranked out a new masters national record in the women’s 55-59 200y IM with her victory today in Riverside. Cruising to her win, 56-year-old Hernandez hacked over 2 seconds off of the previous record of 2:18.07 held by Karyln Pipes since just earlier this month. Hernandez now moves into the record place position in 2:15.70.

 

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Kirk Nelson
6 years ago

IMO the swim of the day was Rick Colella’s 2:03 200 IM at age 65. The old National record in the 65-69 age group was a 2:16 by Larry Day set just last year. That’s what you call crushing the record! Rick came home in free under 29 seconds. Amazing.

Just saying
6 years ago

I do not understand Some of the complains because if masters age group is 30-35 and best 30-35 Amerikans are not swimming there. Then winner is not a really the best swimmer between ages 30-35. Or Masters should start after 35 because then there is only few professional swimmers left

Also Just Saying
Reply to  Just saying
6 years ago

Even though Master’s swimming has championship meets it’s purpose is not to have the fastest swimmers or the most competitive of meets. Generally it is swimmers who swam when they were younger and want to stay in the swimming scene.

Siphiwe Baleka
Reply to  Also Just Saying
6 years ago

I disagree. If we are going to call something a “National Championships”, then we are claiming that the best “champions” from across the nation will be competing. I welcome the “pro” swimmers and I would like to see more coverage of the competitive side of masters swimming. Many of my masters swimming friends have FINA top 10 World rankings but there is never any REGULAR coverage of that, not even in SwimSwam. I broke three national records in the Men’s 45-49 age group and am knocking on the door of some world records and I’d like to be able to claim that I was the fastest among my peers – any of them, ever…. The fact that Masters swimming is… Read more »

Iceage Swimmer
6 years ago

So happy to see a speedy showing by Lochte. He ain’t done yet!!!

bobo gigi
Reply to  Iceage Swimmer
6 years ago

He’s like a duck to water in short course.

Brandelfly Mcduff
6 years ago

Looks like we need some new file photos of Lochte with the TYR logo on his cap.

Cate
Reply to  Brandelfly Mcduff
6 years ago

LOL That’s what I was thinking. Maybe Tyr will give them a call.

Attila the Runt
6 years ago

Very long lines in sweltering mid-day heat to get his autograph. He did good.

Uberfan
6 years ago

Good go Ryan!

About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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