Canadians collect four medals at U.S. Grand Prix

Canadians collect four medals at U.S. Grand Prix
January, 19, 2013
 
 
AUSTIN, Texas – Noemie Thomas of Richmond, B.C., and Audrey Lacroix of Pont-Rouge, Que., finished 1-2 in the women’s 100-metre butterfly on Friday to highlight a four-medal night for Canada at the U.S., Grand Prix swimming competition.
 
 
Two-time Olympic medallist Ryan Cochrane of Victoria added gold in the men’s 400-m freestyle and Barbara Jardin of Montreal took silver in the women’s 400-m freestyle.
 
 
The 16-year-old Thomas won her race in 58.88 seconds with Lacroix second in 1:00.14 and Kathryn McLaughlin of the U.S., third in 1:00.82. Hilary Caldwell of Surrey, B.C., was sixth.
 
 
“I’m delighted with the performance, it is the second time I have gone under 59 seconds,” said Thomas. “It’s very encouraging considering we’re in the middle of training and there are plenty of world class swimmers here.”
 
 
Thomas also overcame an illness after returning home from Istanbul at the world short course championships. In Turkey, she posted two top-four finishes and two Canadian records.
 
 
“I just try to always build on my successes,” she said. “It’s very important for me to keep my confidence up.”
 
 
In the men’s 400-m freestyle, Cochrane opened his 2013 season in grand style with the victory in 3:52.07 edging Michael McBroom of the U.S., second in 3:52.41. Alec Page and Keegan Zanatta, also both of Victoria, were fifth and sixth respectively.
 
 
“It’s nice to get back into racing mode,” said Cochrane. “It’s hard to believe we are into a new season. I’ve been working on some changes to my stroke for this year and that seemed to help tonight even though the time was nowhere near my best.”
 
 
In the women’s 400-me freestyle, Chloe Sutton of the U.S., was the victor in 4:13.38 followed by Jardin in 4:15.74 and Quinn Carrozza of the U.S., third in 4:14.25. Alexa Komarnycky of Victoria was fifth.
 
 
Victoria Poon of Montreal and Heather MacLean of Vancouver were seventh and eighth in the women’s 100-m freestyle and Jake Tapp of Langley, B.C., eighth in the men’s 100 butterfly.
 
 
Along with Cochrane, Lacroix, Jardin, Caldwell, Page, Komarnycky, Poon and MacLean were all on the 2012 Olympic team.