Nouvelles-sport canadien
June 2, 2007
Hayden and Johns set meet records at Mel Zajac Jr International / Bell Swimming Grand Prix
VANCOUVER � World champion Brent Hayden of Vancouver raced despite a painful back injury and won the gold medal in meet record time in the men�s 50-metre freestyle on Saturday at the Mel Zajac Jr International / Bell Swimming Grand Prix.
Brian Johns of Vancouver also set a meet mark in his 200 individual medley win.
Hayden, who injured his back weight training last month, clocked 22.79 seconds to eclipse his previous meet record of 22.92 set last year. Matt Rose of Victoria was second in 23.04 and Terrence Haynes of the U.S., third in 23.73.
��The back still feels a little off but it didn�t affect me in my race, that was a really good time,�� said Hayden, who won the 100 freestyle at the world champiosnhips in March. ��It was a late decision to race tonight. My back seemed ready to go on me. But emotionally I just couldn�t scratch from the race. There were a lot of kids here to watch me race and I didn�t want to let them down.��
Johns took the 200 IM in 2:03.10 to lower the previous meet mark of 2:03.31. Bradley Ally of the U.S., was second in 2:04.05 and his compatriot C.J. Nuess third in 2:05.95.
��I had a really good second half,�� said Johns, tuning up for the World University Games in August. ��My breaststroke has really improved and my endurance was much better than expected. To go that fast right now is very satisfying.��
Ryan Cochrane of Victoria notched his second victory placing first in the 400 freestyle while Adam Sioui of Calgary took the 100 butterfly.
��I was pretty satisfied, I didn�t think I would go that fast (55.01),�� said Sioui, tuning up for the Pan American Games in July. ��I got my legs back a little bit after a tough training camp. I�m seeing a lot of improvements already.��
Winners in women�s competition included MacKenzie Downing of Victoria in the 100 butterfly and Annamay Pierse of Vancouver in the 200 breaststroke. The UBC Dolphins won both 4X200 freestyle relays.
North Vancouver�s CHENA Club set a provincial record in the women�s 4X200 freestyle.
Competition ends Sunday.
Full results available at http://www.pacificdolphins.com/results/