Canadian Nationals Day 1 Report
1999-03-18

The first night of finals at the 1999 Maritime Life Spring Nationals with team selection foremost for the finalists. Major team are up for grabs, SC Worlds (April 1-4) in Hong Kong, World Student Games in July, Pan Ams in August and Pan Pacs in Sydney Australia

Women's 200 Freestyle

Kate Brambley (PDSA) in the lead at the 100 with six swimmers in close contention. Jessica Deglau (PDSA) in the lead at 150. In a very close finish Malar wins by 1/100 of a second in 2:01.29 over Deglau in second with 2:01.30. Laura Nicholls third with 2:01.63. Brambley and Marianne Limpert (PDSA) tied for fourth with 2:02.55.

In the B final Suzu Chiba, (JPN) who followed coach Bud McAllister from California to Waterloo (ROW) swam to a three body length win in 2:00.00. McAllister arrived in mid-January to take up the Waterloo National Centre coaching position.

Men's 200 Freestyle

Rick Say (IS) the early leader with 25.54 at the 50, and 53.73 at the 100. Mark Johnston (PDSA) moves into the lead with 1:22.16 at the 150, holds on to win in 1:50.70 Yannick Lupien (MAC) comes on strong to challenge for the lead in the final metres with 1:50.86 for second. Say in third with 1:51.56. Brian Johns (SKSC) I fourth with 1:51.73.

Women's 100 Backstroke

Kelly Stefanyshyn (PDSA) in the lead at the 50 with 30.93. In the second length Erin Gammel (KCS) challenged successfully for the lead touching first with 1:02.84. Stefanyshyn second with 1:03.17. Amanda Marin (PDSA) in third with 1:03.82. Gammel's win was a personal best and a bit of an upset over Canadian record holder Stefanyshyn.

Men's 100 Backstroke

It was Mark Versfeld (PDSA) all the way, in the lead at the 50 27.42 and 55.95 at the finish. In second Dustin Hersee (PDSA) 56.16 a personal best.

Women's 400 IM

In what turned out to be the swim of the evening Joanne Malar (UCSC) went all out from the start and crushed her old record of 4:43.39 with a terrific 4:41.20. It was new Commonwealth and Canadian record.

Malar's split: Old record
1:04.08 (fly) 1:04.44
2:16.24 (1:12.16 back) 2:16.62
3:36.79 (1:20.55 breast) 3:37.67
4:41.20 (1:04.41 free) 4:43.39

In second Liz Warden (TO) with 4:49.68, a repeat or their 1-2 finish from last year's Commonwealth Games.

Men's 400 IM

A tough race for Curtis Myden (UCSC) who is concentrating on school work and is not the shape he'll be next summer. Challenged by Owen Von Richter (ESWIM) on the second half where he closed the gap in breaststroke and almost moved into the lead at the 350, but Myden pulled it out like so many times in the past with a 4:19.09, to Von Richter's personal best of 4:19.90 (the first time under 4:20). In third, Adam Peacey (TO) with 4:24.20 with another personal best over Philip Weiss (IS) 4:24.89.

4 X 50 Free Relays

Pacific Dolphins won both relays.
The women's team of Kelly Stefanyshyn, Marianne Limpert, Katie Brambley and Jessica Deglau with 1:45.44, to Calgary's 1:45.83 and Region of Waterloo with 1:45.89.

The men's race had a record swim of 1:33.76 in the morning prelims so a faster time was to be expected. The Pacific Dolphin team of Garret Pulle, Jake Steele, Mark Johnston and Michael Mintenko lowered their own record 1:32.61. Calgary (UCSC) in second with 1:34.18 and Markham AC third with 1:34.50.

Results and more info in our Special Events section