Pierse wins showdown in women’s 100 breaststroke

Edmonton’s Annamay Pierse broke her Canadian record with a dramatic victory in the women’s 100-metre breaststroke on Thursday night at the world championships swimming trials at Montreal’s Parc Jean-Drapeau.

The competition determines the Canadian swim team for the world aquatic championships later this month in Rome.

Pierse won a close race with a great push in the final 15 metres clocking one minute 5.74 seconds, only 0.65 off the world record. That bettered her national mark of 1:06.77 set in the preliminaries. It is third time overall she has lowered the record this year.

Amanda Reason, of Windsor, Ont., led at the turn and clocked a personal best 1:06.53. Both went under the qualifying standard to make the world team.

In the men’s 100 breaststroke, Scott Dickens of Vancouver broke his second Canadian record in two days clocking 1:00.23. That bettered the previous mark of 1:00.70 set by Morgan Knabe in 2003. Mathieu Bois of Montreal also met the standard and a ticket to Rome finishing in 1:00.55.

In the 50 butterfly races, Thomas Kindler of Montreal broke his Canadian record clocking 23.66 to better his 23.81 time from 2007. Kendra Chernoff of Saskatoon took the women’s 50 fly.

Meanwhile, the path is now clear for Brent Hayden of Vancouver to defend his world title in the men’s 100 freestyle. Hayden won Thursday’s final in a season best 48.16 seconds, edging Joel Greenshields of Edmonton in second in a personal best 48.39.

Colin Russell of Oakville, Ont., clocked 48.92 and Stephan Hirniak of Victoria was fourth in 49.98. The top-four make the world team to fill the 4X100 freestyle relay spots.

Four world spots were also on the line in the women’s 100 freestyle. Heather MacLean of Etobicoke, Ont., won her second gold of the competition clocking 54.68 seconds, a 15-17 national age group record. Victoria Poon of Montreal was second in a personal best 54.94, Genevieve Saumur of Montreal third in 55.12 and Julia Wilkinson of North York, Ont., fourth in 55.35.

Alexa Komarnycky of Victoria and Tanya Hunks of Vancouver both earned their ticket to Rome in the 400 individual medley clocking 4:40.10 and 4:41.17 respectively.

In the men’s 400 IM Jordan Hartney of Vancouver put a tough season behind him meeting the qualifying standard with a personal best 4:17.52.

Other winners in men’s competition were Ryan Cochrane of Victoria in the 800 freestyle.

In honor:http://www.canada.com/sports