There were plenty of fast swims tonight at YMCA Nationals, but Kishwaukee’s Daniel Hein, who will begin his collegiate career for Missouri next fall, was the only swimmer to break a YMCA national record.
He squared off against Austin Katz in the 100 back, and came out on top with a 47.08 for the title and new record, breaking the old mark of 47.38 done in 2000. That was the first event in a tough double for Katz, who later settled for 2nd in the 200 free (1:36.67) behind Grant House (1:36.48).
The girls’ 100 back featured Kaitlyn Harty, Ali Galyer and Ashlyn Schoof, with University of Texas-bound Harty firing off a 52.40 to take the title. Galyer and Schoof battled for 2nd, with Galyer taking it at the wall in 53.24 to Schoof’s 53.29.
York stars Courtney Harnish and Meghan Small had big nights as well, each earning one individual title. Harnish took the 200 free (1:46.12), just off of her YMCA national record. She touched well ahead of Galyer (1:48.31) and Harty (1:48.42).
Small, meanwhile, took control of the 400 IM. Her time of 4:07.29 was well off of her YMCA national record time and personal best of 4:03.96, but it was more than enough to give her the title ahead of Savanna Faulconer (4:11.92). In the boys’ 400 IM, 200 breast runner-up Paul Delakis swam a 3:48.35 for the win ahead of Red Bank’s Chris Smith (3:51.45).
York won the girls’ 200 medley relay, helped out by quick splits from Small on breast (27.84) and Harnish on fly (24.18). Notable backstroke splits came from Ashlyn Schoof (24.89), Galyer (25.58) and Harty (25.61), while 100 fly winner Caitlin Tycz split a 23.85 fly split in the B final.
For the boys, it was Red Bank who took the 200 medley relay, touching at 1:31.96.
Congrats Daniel