Junior Nationals Update!

Team Santa Monica ushered in the championship meet season on Thursday with strong performances by Eugene Tee in the 500 Free and 200 IM at the Junior National Championships in Atlanta, Georgia.  Eugene raced to a personal best time of 4:35.27 in the 500, finishing 61st overall.  In the IM, his time of 1:56.25 was good enough for 107th place.

During this morning's preliminary action, two TSM athletes qualified for the finals of their respective events.  Mr. Tee was at it again, qualifying 15th in the 400 IM with another personal best time of 3:58.89, earning the team's first night swim at Junior Nationals.  Later during prelims, Sam Ruddy decided he'd like to join Eugene for an evening dip, so he cruised to a personal best of 1:40.23 and the 25th seed in the 200 Free.  Finals begin tonight at 5:00pm EST (2:00pm PST).

Mun Hon Lee also displayed some outstanding athleticism this morning by completing both the 400 IM (4:06.43/76th) and 100 Fly (51.23/58th) in a span of only eight minutes!  Both of Mun's times were personal bests and he even finished within a second of qualifying for the finals of the 100 Fly.

Elsewhere, distance and open water specialist Max Halson waits patiently to tear up the competition in the 1650 Free on Saturday.

Tee, Lee and Halson are each making their first appearance in a SCY Junior National Championship meet and seem to become more comfortable in the short pool with each race.  Ruddy will swim in his first ever Junior National Final this evening.

Best wishes to all our 'mates competing this weekend in Atlanta and Las Vegas!

For complete Junior National results, please CLICK HERE.