Pieter Coetze Adds Another Commonwealth Cut in 100 Free
Pieter Coetze earned a third Commonwealth Games cut on Thursday on the third day of the South African Swimming Championships.
The 21-year-old augmented his two backstroke cuts by winning the 100 freestyle in 48.18 at the Bombela Concession Company South Africa National Aquatic Championships at Newton Park Swimming Pool.
Coetze’s time was nearly a second up on Guy Brooks, who finished in 49.04. This was Kris Mihaylov in 49.63, while Ruard van Renen, who has two Commonwealth cuts already, finished fourth in 49.72, the last of the group to break 50 seconds.
Aimee Canny qualified for Commonwealths in her fourth and final event of the meet in Gqeberha. The Virginia swimmer bested a loaded field in the 200 breaststroke, so long the South African women’s program’s speciality. Her time of 2:23.61 edged reigning Worlds bronze medalist Kaylene Corbett, who finished second in 2:23.72 to also qualify for the summer meet. Rebecca Meder was third in 2:27.36.
The swim is Canny’s fourth qualification in three days. She wraps up her meet before heading back to Charlottesville to train.
The women’s 100 free went to Erin Gallagher, the national record holder winning in 55.12 to edge Olivia Nel in a thrilling race. Nel was second in 55.17, both times short of the Commonwealth standard. Jessica Thompson was third in 55.50, .01 up on Caitlin Le Lange and .05 up on Michaela De Villiers, while Georgia Nel also broke 56 seconds.
Catherine Van Rensburg won the women’s 400 individual medley in 4:56.26. It was a congested pack behind her, Karla Myburgh’s 4:58.08 leading a contingent of 4:58s.
Shaun Thompson bested the field in the men’s 200 breast in 2:15.00, a second up on Zaine Neimand. Karl Albertyn finished the IM double by winning the 400 in 4:24.83, 2.5 seconds up on Juan Boshoff.
South Africa Commonwealth Games qualifiers
- Aimee Canny: 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke, 200 individual medley
- Pieter Coetzé: 50 backstroke, 100 backstroke, 100 freestyle
- Kaylene Corbett: 200 breaststroke
- Erin Gallagher: 100 butterfly
- Rebecca Meder: 200 individual medley
- Jessica Thompson: 50 backstroke
- Ruard van Renen: 50 backstroke, 100 backstroke
