This weekend the Can-Am Para-Swimming Championships took place in Edmonton, Alberta (up in the great white north) and despite the Canadian cold, some impressive swims were displayed in the pool.
Eight time American Paralympic medalist Courtney Jordan set a world record on Friday in the S7 1500m freestyle. Jordan cut an incredible 40 seconds off her previous record to touch the wall in 21:23.11. Jordan went on to take victories in the 200m backstroke and 50m fly Friday night as well. In the 200m backstroke, Jordan set a Pan-Am record of 3:03.00. On Saturday Jordan was back and in full force winning both the 200m fly and the 50m free. In the 200m fly Jordan broke the American record, improving her time by over three-and-a-half seconds to touch in at 3:01.21. Jordan earned her fifth gold by swimming a 39.12 in the 50m free. Jordan won the 400m free tonight to bring her gold medal count up to an incredible six.
American Kayla Wheeler also broke a world record, this time in the S2 category. Wheeler touched the wall in 1:43.18 to take the gold and shatter her own world record by over two and a half second in the 50m fly. Wheeler took the gold as well in the 100m freestyle, grabbing the gold in a swift 3:03.77. Wheeler added to her medal count on Saturday night by winning the 50m freestyle and 50m back. Wheeler swam a 6:14.28 to win the 200m freestyle tonight.
Duncan Moss broke out onto the international scene during this meet with his first American record. Moss broke the American record in prelims, then again in finals in the 100m backstroke, earning himself a seventh place finish. Amazingly, this is Moss’ first year of competition, making his results that much more impressive. Moss earned himself his first international medal, taking the bronze in the 50m backstroke tonight.
Jessica Long who’s now stranger to international competition came home with a few wins as well. Tonight, Long won the 400m freestyle in a personal best of 4:48.48 and the 100m fly going a perfect two for two at this competition. Long who trains with Bob Bowman at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club has won at least three gold medals at every Paralympic Games since 2004.
Two time Worlds silver medallist Canadian Morgan Bird swam well this weekend, winning the 100m free and 200m fly on Friday and the 50m free and 200m IM on Saturday all in the S8 category. Bird didn’t swim in this morning’s prelims, however she left the competition with four wins in four events. The 20 year-old swimmer isn’t usually known for her 200m IM, specializing more commonly on the sprint free and fly events, making her results that much more impressive.
Canadian Alex Elliott took home three big wins, shocking the crowd in the 50m fly, 100m free, and 100m breaststroke on day one. Elliott took down mult-time Paralympic medallist Benoit Huot on his way to victory in the 50m fly in the S10 Category. This was Elliott’s first major win, an impressive result considering the big names he was up against. In the 100m free and 100m breast Elliott was up against 2012 Paralympian Isaac Bouckley, Bouckley settling for silver in both events. Bouckley added an other silver to has plate tonight in the 400m freestyle. On Saturday night Elliott took his third big win over Bouckley, securing a victory in the 200m IM.
Benoit Huot took a victory over Elliott in the 100m backstroke, taking the gold in 1:03.83 over Elliott’s 1:05.15 in the S10 Category. Bouckley also came home with a gold, taking the gold in the S10 50m freestyle. Neither Huot or Elliott competed in that event, however Elliott earned himself a silver tonight in the 50m backstroke, and a gold in the 100m fly bringing his medal count up to an impressive five golds and one silver.
For full results click here.
