In opposition from the women's race yesterday, which saw a pack of four leaders break away from the peloton, the group of 22 men jockeyed for a spot at the World Championships for the majority of the race.
With several warning whistles given to the cradle of swimmers, Warkentin began to make a break for the finish line half way through the final lap. Following suit, Peterson and Pan American gold medalist Fran Crippen (Philadelphia, Pa.) remained on Warkentin's heels. However, Warkentin proved to be too strong, as the two-time 25K Open Water National Champion hammered home in 1:57:01.84 to advance to the World Championships.
"I have never won an important race in my life," Warkentin, who is nominated for the Perseverance Award at this year's Golden Goggle Awards, said. "At 27 and at the end of my career, this probably would have been the last race."
Peterson, a three-time 10K Open Water National Champion, finished just two seconds later in 1:57:03.64 to grab the remaining spot to the World Championships. Josef Kinderwater (Lancaster, Pa.), who will serve as an alternate for the 10K race at Worlds, also qualified for the meet in the 5K along with Chad LaTourette (Mission Viejo, Calif.).
Micha Burden, Kirsten Groome qualify for Open Water World Championships
Micha Burden and Kirsten Groome each qualified for the 2008 FINA Open Water World Swimming Championships at the 2007 10K Open Water World Championships Trials in Fort Myers, Fla. The World Championships, held April 29-May4, 2008 in Seville, Spain, will serve as a direct qualifier for the debut Open Water event at the 2008 Olympic Games.Two-time Open Water 10K National Champion Chloe Sutton led the entire race until rounding the final turn when she and Mission Viejo teammate Burden collided, giving Burden the advantage heading into the homestretch. Burden, a silver medalist in the 5K at the 2007 Open Water Nationals, sighted a direct line for the finish, crossing in 2:00:47.48 to capture gold.
“You run into each other a lot in open water,” Burden said. “You have to be prepared to get a little physical if need be. This has been my dream since I was a little girl. I am kind of in shock. This is what I have been working for my whole life.”
Groome, who won the 10K Open Water Grand Prix, also benefited from the entanglement. Groome moved around Sutton to engage in a stroke-for-stroke battle to second place for the next 400 meters. With the inside advantage, Groome overtook Sutton to finish second and earn a spot at the World Championships in a time of 2:01:05.43.
Sutton, who took home bronze in 2:01:09.02, will serve as an alternate for the World Championships along with Olympian and fourth-place finisher Kalyn Keller. Sutton and Keller qualified to compete in the 5K race at the World Championships.
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. For more information, visit USA Swimming on-line.
