Cochrane Confirms His BCN2013 Berth
Apr 5, 2013 - Craig Lord
Olympic silver medallist Ryan Cochrane made his presence on the Canada world titles team official on day three at trials in Saanich Commonwealth Place, Victoria with a dominant 3:47.08 victory in the 400m freestyle. He was one of five to add their names to the official roster.
Coached by Randy Bennett at Island, Cochrane clocked a 7:43 season world-leading time in the 800m on day 1 but only Olympic events count for passage to the FINA World Championships in Barcelona this summer. His main event is yet to come, Cochrane kept from gold at London 2012 by Sun Yang (CHN) alone over 30 laps.
Cochrane, whose 400m best dates back to the first shiny suits season in 2008, the Canadian record of 3:44.85, his textile best a 3:45.17 from 2011, told the media: "I was hoping to go faster but it’s a super encouraging time." In his wake came Cochrane's teenager club mates Eric Hedlin, on 3:52.52, and Will Brothers, on 3:53.22.
The challenge between teenagers Katerin Savard, 19 and racing for CSQ, and Noemie Thomas, 17, UBCD/VNSC, will take them to higher places. In the 100m butterfly, Thomas having laid down the gauntlet with a 58.36 in heats, it was Savard who set the pace, turning ahead of the 50m champion at the meet 27.02 to 27.38. Savard put in a 31.04 return, to 30.93 for Thomas, leaving Savard with gold in 58.06, Thomas with silver in 58.31 and both with a ticket to Barcelona. Savard had already claimed a berth in the 200m, while Thomas joined the team, the 50m a non-qualifying event.
Hilary Caldwell, of White Rock, B.C., produced an upset 2:09.31 in the 200m backstroke for a ticket to Spain. Geneviève Cantin took second in 2:11.45, locking out Canadian record holder Sinead Russell, leader at half-way on 1:02.77 on her way to a 2:11.52 close. "I felt a lot of pressure tonight to get on the team," said Caldwell after a debut national crown. "I was hoping to get this done in the 100 backstroke (on Wednesday). I’m excited to be going to the worlds and my goal there is to do a lot better than at the Olympics."
The women's 400m free went to Savannah King, UBCD/VNSC, in 4:10.34 (granting her a second swim in Barcelona) ahead of Samantha Cheverton, 4:10.82, and Barbara Jardin, 4:12.17.
In the men's 100m butterfly, Coleman Allen, 20 and racing for UBCD/VNSC, clocked 53.57 to celebrate a world-titles ticket ahead of Edward Liu, 18, on 54.29, and Mack Darragh, 19, on 54.37.
On the men’s side, Russell Wood of Calgary and Coleman Allen of Vancouver added their names to the national squad with victories in the 200-m backstroke and 100-m butterfly. One more ticket was handed out and it went to 18-year-old Russell Wood, CASC, on 2:01.01 in the 200m backstroke at the helm of six men inside 2:02. The minor spoils went to Matthew Swanston, 2:01.07, and Jeremy DeZwirek, 2:01.43, with Jeffrey Swanston on 2:01.44, Joe Byram on 2:01.50 and Matthew Myers on 2:01.73 - the race of the night.
The non-qualifying 50m breaststroke finals went to Fiona Doyle, of Ireland, in 31.35 and Jason Block in 28.03.
The Canada team for Barcelona 2013 so far: