North Allegheny alum and Pitt freshman swimmer Jerry Chen made the most of an opportunity to compete on long and short courses in the same meet.
Chen, 19, posted career-best times Jan. 31 against Ohio State at home in the men’s 200-meter breaststroke (2 minutes, 21.29 seconds), 100-meter breaststroke (1:04.38) and 100-yard breaststroke (54.96). He placed second in all three events.
Traditionally, college racing is held only on a short course, with events measured in yards.
“It was interesting to do both courses in a single meet,” said Chen, the WPIAL Class AAA runner-up and a PIAA finalist in the boys 100-yard breaststroke last season. “I’ve never done both in such a short amount of time.
“Doing so allowed me to focus on the stroke during the long course, which helped me stay strong instead of rushing through my stroke in short course.”
Pitt coach John Hargis said he and the Ohio State coach decided on long course to allow swimmers the opportunity to make cuts for June’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials. The pool then was flipped for some short-course events. No team score was recorded in the Panthers’ final home meet of the season.
“The kids had a great time while swimming fast,” Hargis said. “We had a handful of kids just miss (cuts).
“Trial cuts were swum, but by individuals (who) are already qualified.”
Chen said it was a great opportunity to see what he could do in long course.
“It’s so rare to get good long courses this time of year,” he said. “Every time is a great learning experience, especially with Olympic Trials coming up.
“I have not yet (made them), but they are in my sights. I came within about a second of the 100 breast cut and three from the 200 breast cut at this meet.”
Chen needs to go 1:03.29 in the 100-meter breaststroke and 2:17.89 in the 200 breaststroke to qualify. He said it has been a goal of his to make the trials since he was 10.
Chen, who plans to study computer science, said his goals are to go for personal bests and score in the ACC championship meet Feb. 26-29 in Greensboro, N.C. “I have some high standards every time I get up and race,” he said. “I put a lot (more) pressure on myself than I used to (in high school).”
