Hill Breaks Irish Junior Record Two Days in a Row

15 year old Danielle Hill broke her own Irish Junior record in the 100 backstroke after setting the mark in yesterdays semi-finals at the Irish Open Swimming Championships. Hill posted a 1:04.22 in the semis and then put up a 1:03.72 in tonight’s final taking the Irish title, but finishing second to American Hannah Whiteley who posted a 1:02.89.

Hill was not the only swimmer to set a new Irish Junior record. In the prelims of the women’s 50 butterfly Emma Reid posted a time of 28.07 surpassing the previous record of 28.13 which was set by Shauna O’Brien in 2011.

American Alex Lebed dominated the men’s 400 IM recording a time of 4:25.67 almost 10 seconds ahead of the next fastest competitor. Ben Griffin claimed the Irish title finishing second in a time of 4:34.30.

American Ruby Martin took the gold in the women’s event recording a time of 4:50.98 followed by Shani Stallard who hit the wall in a time of 4:59.29.

American Michael Taylor won the men’s 100 backstroke in a time of 56.20 completing the sweep of the individual events for the Americans.

Americans also led the way in many of the semi-finals with Caroline McTaggart qualifying first in the 50 butterfly in a time of 27.02 while Ian Finnerty qualified first in the men’s event posting a 25.15.

In the 100 breaststroke Ethane Brown was the top qualifier recording a time of 1:03.08 while Olivia Anderson put up the top time in the women’s event swimming a 1:10.49.

Curtis Coulter was the only Irishman to put up the top time in the semis heading into the 100 freestyle final with a time of 51.17.

American Alexandra Wooden was the top women’s qualifier posting a time of 56.22.

Full results can be found here.