Penny Oleksiak of the Toronto Swim Club broke a Canadian record in the prelims of the 100 freestyle this morning, earning herself a spot in finals at just 14-years-old.
Oleksiak dropped almost a full second and a half off her seed time this morning to swim a 55.28 and take the fifth seed heading into finals. That time bettered the previous national 13-14 age-group record held by Taylor Ruck at 56.22.
Ruck swam that time at the Austin Grand Prix.
Taylor Ruck was also under her previous age-group mark this morning sporting a 55.80. That time got her a spot in tonight’s B final.
With Oleksiak’s solid time, she has the potential to make her first national team. The potential to make either the World Championships roster or the Pan Am Games roster is there tonight.
Later in the meet Oleksiak will also be swimming the 100 fly, 200 fly, 200 back, 50 free, and 200 IM.
That was a really nice swim from Penny!
Great technique and endurance. What a huge drop in time!
Greeetings from Ukraine to Penny and congratulations!