A very light session began the 2014 Jenks Sectional Championship in Oklahoma, with just the 1000 freestyles having been swum.
This Central Section meet is suddenly bursting with talent, both between the growth of the sport in Oklahoma and neighboring states like Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas (Michael Andrew – who is at this meet).
Some of that young talent was on display on Wednesday evening, as 14-year old Genevieve Pfeifer from the Flyers Aquatic Swim Team in St. Louis won the 1000 free in 9:52.18. That puts her 4th among 13-14’s this season in the event nationwide, and also pushes her into the top 45 all-time in her age group.
That’s Pfeifer’s first entry on the 13-14 all-time top 100 lists, but given that she was out in 4:53 at the halfway mark, we have a feeling that it won’t be her last.
In 2nd place was Jordan Stout from the Rockwood Swim Club, who cut 21 seconds from her lifetime best to go a 9:55.45. Elizabeth Walker from the Columbia Swim Club completed a Missouri-based 1-2-3 with a 9:55.87 for 3rd. She had a pretty big hole to Stout with about 20 yards to go, but had a great closing kick before finally running out of room to catch up.
Rylee Linhardt from the in-state Chesapeake Swim Club was 4th in 10:00.18.
In the men’s 1000 free, it was an Arkansas Dolphin, Minki Kang, who was a 9:10.04 for the victory. That improved his best time by 7 seconds, and really will give him some real momentum going into his senior year next season. He’s already getting attention from coaches at Virginia and Auburn, at least, which he recently referred to as his “dream schools.”
Ryan Baker from the Rex Plex Sharks, back to the Missouri trend, took 2nd in 9:23.47,and Nicholas Alexander from Flyers, who is only 15, was a 9:26.69 for 3rd.
Minki Kang is an 18 year old Junior?
klorn8d – that’s correct. He moved here from South Korea a couple of years ago, so the grade system didn’t quite translate perfectly.
MIchael Andrew again?
Wow! He swims almost every weekend!
TIme for him to break that 50 free NAG record.
You beat me to it Bobo! I’m surprised that he is still racing the 200m IM beforehand. I think if he went into the race completely fresh he would hit 19 point without trouble. Straight after to IM I’m not too sure.
You’re right.
Here’s the psych sheet.
http://www.jenksswimclub.com/osjtsc/__eventform__/428924_014%20Reg%20VIII%20Spring%20Sectional%20Primary%20Entry%20Period%20Psych%20Report.pdf
He’s entered in the 200 IM just before the 50 free! 😡
Hopefully he will scratch that event to be fresh for the sprint and finally swim under 20 seconds.
I see he will also have several battles with Jacob Molacek who has recently broken the 100 breast high school record.
Over here we swim everything.
Especially at age 14.
“Over here we swim everything.”…but not as fast as we should due to cramming in too many events! 😛