Another swimming record for Dinos' Katie Murdoch

by Ben Matchett, U of Calgary Sports Information

Archive photo courtesy Martine Leblanc: University of Calgary product Katie Murdoch set a new Canadian 100m backstroke record while competing at the British Grand Prix on Friday

LEEDS, England - The University of Calgary's Katy Murdoch grabbed another national record in the 100-metre backstroke while Audrey Lacroix of Montreal neared the world record in the women's 200-metre butterfly, two of seven Canadian records broken or tied in Thursday's finals, at the British Grand Prix short course swimming competition.

Murdoch broke her second Canadian record this week winning the 100 backstroke in 57.03. She initially bettered her previous mark of 58.67 set this year at the Canadian interuniversity championships (CIS) in the prelims clocking 58.32. On Sunday Murdoch broke the Canadian long course record in the 100 backstroke. Sinead Russell of Oakville, Ont., was third in 58.95.

‘'I wasn't expecting that at all,'' said Murdoch. ‘'The time I did in the final exceeds all my expectations.''

Murdoch also won three medals at the Summer Universiade in Belgrade, Serbia in early July.

In the women's 200 butterfly, Lacroix lowered the Canadian mark in the prelims to 2:03.70 in the preliminaries then clocked 2:03.20 in the final for the gold medal. She just missed the 2:03.12 world record held by Yuko Nakanishi of Japan. Lacroix's time was also a Commonwealth record.

‘'It was a very good race and I managed it well,'' said Lacroix. ‘'I was in control from the start and not too nervous. It's a little frustrating to get so close to the world record but at the same time it's hard to ask for more than that.''

Canadians swept the medals in the race with Tanya Hunks of Vancouver taking the silver in 2:06.25 and Kendra Chernoff of Saskatoon the bronze in 2:06.91.

The other Canadian records were set by world championship silver medallist Ryan Cochrane of Victoria and Matt Hawes of Vancouver for the men and Katie Murdoch of Calgary, Julia Wilkinson of North York, Ont., and Victoria Poon of Montreal for the women. Joe Bartoch of London, Ont., tied the men's 100 butterfly national mark.

Cochrane eclipsed his record in the 400 freestyle winning the race in 3:39.10 to better the 3:41.28 he swam at the Spring Nationals this past March. Blake Worsley of Victoria was third in 3:41.76.

‘'I'm happy to take off another two seconds in a single season,'' said Cochrane, also scheduled to race the 200 and 1,500 freestyles this week. ‘'It's my first time under 3:40 so I'm working my way towards that world record. Hopefully I can get even closer next time.''

In the men's 200 backstroke, Hawes broke the Canadian record twice clocking 1:52.21 for third place in the final. In the morning he swam 1:52.84 to lower the longest standing men's short course national record set by Chris Renaud of Calgary in 1997.

‘'It was a really good race but I still have a few technical elements to work on,'' said Hawes. ‘'I feel I established myself this year and it's a good way to cap the season.''

Wilkinson lowered the national mark and neared the Commonwealth record in the 200 individual medley clocking 2:07.01 for the silver medal. The previous Canadian mark was 2:09.12 set at the CIS championships by Erica Morningstar of Calgary. Hunks was third in 2:10.29.

"My goal was to go 2:08 so it is always good to look at the clock and be shocked,'' said Wilkinson. "I knew the girl in the next lane swam the 200 IM like me. I knew she would catch me on the breaststroke but I've been working on the front half of my IM and I was happy with how I got out from the start. It was a good swim for me.''

In the 100 freestyle, Poon won the silver in 51.79 which eclipsed the 53.21 record held by Morningstar since the Western Nationals in 2007. Geneviève Saumur of Montreal was third in 53.44.

Bartoch clocked 51.45 in the 100 butterfly for the bronze equalling Mike Mintenko's record set in 2002.

Other Canadian medalists in men's competition were Brent Hayden of Vancouver with silver in the 50 freestyle and Bogdan Knezevic of Etobicoke, Ont., with bronze in the 200 IM.

World championship medallist Annamay Pierse of Vancouver and Amanda Reason of Windsor, Ont., took silver and bronze respectively in the women's 50 breaststroke.

Canada is fielding a 70-member squad comprised of its World Championships and Senior B teams.

Competition continues through to Sunday.

Full results are available at: 2009 British Grand Prix