Moving on to individual races, Alyssa Anderson of Sierra Marlins picked up her third title of the week Saturday, winning the women’s 1500m free with a time of 16:34.72. Kirsten Groome (unattached), jumped out to an early lead, only to have Anderson creep up gradually and take the lead at the 1100-meter mark.
By the 1400-meter mark, Anderson opened up a body length lead and hammered her way home. Groome was second in 16:36.20, while Monica Drake of the Bloomington-Normal YMCA Waves was third in 16:39.83. Anderson also picked up wins in the 800m free and 40m free earlier in the meet. “This is probably the best thing ever,” Anderson said. “Last year, it was just a big deal to make the top 8. This year, to win three (events) is just amazing. “The difference this year is just an insane amount of practice and hard work day in and day out. It seems to have paid off.”
Michelle McKeehan of Center Grove Aquatics took home her second title in as many days Saturday, winning the women’s 200m IM with a time of 2:15.50. Crippen, who has competed in a number of finals this week and won the 200m back and 400m IM, jumped out to a quick lead after the backstroke, only to have McKeehan reel her in on the breaststroke leg. Crippen was second in 2:16.95, while Kathleen Hersey Hersey of Swim Atlanta was third in 2:17.12. “I knew going into this race that Teresa had a good butterfly and an even better backstroke, so I just tried to keep up the first half,” said McKeehan, who won the 100m breast on Friday. “The breaststroke is my strong point. I was just hoping to get a big enough lead in the breaststroke and hold on to it. “It’s exciting. I never did this well before. It’s really exciting because my dad’s here and we have a relay here, so it’s good to have people here with you.”
Italian swimmer Vanni Mangoni (unattached) came out on top of a tight race in the men’s 200m IM, out-touching Margalis 2:03.54 to 2:03.65. Tim Liebhold of Wisconsin Aquatics was third in 2:03.80. Margalis, a member of the 2007 U.S. Pan American Games team, had won three events earlier this week, including the 200m butterfly, the 400m IM and the 400m free, and was back in action in the men’s 800m free.
He wouldn’t be disappointed in that event, winning his last race with a time of 8:02.13. Chad LaTourette of Mission Viejo was second in 8:03.38, while Troyden Prinsloo (unattached) was third in 8:04.67. With four wins this week, Margalis was a lock for the men’s Kiphuth Award for high points. “I was a little disappointed with the 200 IM,” Margalis said. “I wanted to be 2:01, 2:02. But I was glad I was able to being it home in the last 50 of that 800 to win my last event. “Overall, I was a little bit off on my goal times, but I had some good competitive races. Overall, I was happy with being able to win four events, and to get the Kiphuth Award was pretty awesome. It’s my second time I’ve won it, and it’s really an honor.”
It was Samantha Woodward of Chesapeake Swim Club and Nick Brunelli of Sun Devil Aquatics coming out on top of the women’s and men’s 50m free, turning in times of 25.79 and 22.45, respectively. Woodward, a member of the 2007 U.S. Pan American Games Team, edged Olympians Allison Wagner of Cal Aquatics (25.94) and Maritza Correia of Athens Bulldog Swim Club (26.08) from Lane 1. “I got barely touched out last night (in the 100m fly), so I went out there tonight and put everything on the line,” Woodward said. “I was so excited, though. I had no idea I won until they announced it. It’s an awesome feeling. I’ve never won at (a national-level meet) before, so it’s a big deal.” Brunelli, meanwhile, was all power from Lane 4, finishing about three-tenths of a second ahead of the field. Brett Allen (unattached) was second in 22.79, while Cole Tedhams of Sun Devil Aquatics was third in 22.90. “I was just happy to be in that race in finals,” Brunelli said. “After watching World Champs, I was pretty amped and wanted to throw something out there. I was really happy with it after my shoulder injury (torn labrum). I can’t complain.”
Turning to team scores, Mission Viejo Nadadores took the top spot in the men’s division with 185 points. The U.S. Military Academy was second with 146 points, while Louisiana State was third with 142 points.
In the women’s division, Germantown Academy came out on top with 356 points, followed by North Baltimore Aquatic Club with 240 points and Sun Devil Aquatics with 136 points.
North Baltimore claimed the top spot in the combined team scoring with 340 points. (Teams must have both men and women competing in the meet to qualify for the combined team scoring). Bolles School Sharks were second with 242 points, while Sun Devil Aquatics was third with 210 points.
For complete results and team scores, go to the USA Swimming 2007 Spring Championships section.
About USA Swimming: As the National Governing Body for competitive swimming in the United States, USA Swimming formulates the rules, implements policies and procedures, conducts national championships, disseminates safety and sports medicine information and selects athletes to represent the United States in international competition. USA Swimming has more than 300,000 members nationwide and sanctions more than 7,000 events each year. For more information, visit USA Swimming on-line.
