Marrit Steenbergen Speeds to 50 Freestyle Win at Dutch Championships; Roos van Otterdijk Shines
Make it four victories in as many days for Marrit Steenbergen at the Dutch Championships. The recently annointed world-record holder in the 100-meter freestyle prevailed in the 50 freestyle on Sunday, clocking a personal-best time of 24.09. The triumph landed Steenbergen her latest bid to next month’s European Championships in Paris and complemented previous meet wins in the 100 freestyle, 50 backstroke and 100 backstroke.
En route to besting the field in the 50 freestyle, Steenbergen defeated Milou van Wijk (24.54) and Valerie van Roon (24.60), with Tessa Giele placing fourth in 24.73. Earlier in the meet, Steenbergen clocked her fourth sub-52 performance of the year in the 100 freestyle, going 51.82. She set the world record at 51.68 during the Sette Colli International Trophy in Rome.
While Steenbergen sped to victory in the women’s sprint event, Sean Niewold emerged on top on the men’s side, as he touched the wall in 21.60. During the morning prelims, Niewold set a Dutch record of 21.56 while backing up prior wins in the 50 butterfly and 100 freestyle. Niewold, who trains at the University of Alabama, figures to be a medal contender at the European Champs.
Belgium’s Roos Vanotterdijk put together a stellar showing in the women’s 100 butterfly, as she easily defeated the field behind a time of 56.63. Last summer, Vanotterdijk was the silver medalist at the World Championships in the 100 fly, which was won by American Gretchen Walsh.
In other action, Belgium’s Florine Gaspard was quickest in the 50 breaststroke, as her effort of 30.60 was clear of Tes Schouten (31.09), who earlier won the 100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke. In the men’s 100 breaststroke, Caspar Corbeau was the lone athlete to crack the minute barrier, as he won the event in 59.87.
Other victories were earned by Great Britain’s Niamh Ward (2:12.03) in the 200 backstroke and Thomas Jansen (4:16.02) in the men’s 400 individual medley. Ukraine’s Ihor Troianovskyi took first place in the 100 butterfly in 52.65.