T&T Olympic bronze medal swimmer George Bovell III made a triumphant return to competitive action when he won his pet event, the men’s 50 metres freestyle at the inaugural “Professional Dual Meet 1” at the University of Michigan’s Canham Natatorium on Thursday night. Competing for the first time after a three-month lay-off from a car accident he suffered in Mayaro on August 16, the 27-year-old Bovell representing the West Team won from a field of 15 other swimmers with a time of 22.77 seconds, .05 ahead of East competitor and Commonwealth Games champion, Jason Dunford while Alex Coville (West)—22.85, Pan American gold medallist Nick Brunelli (East)—23.09 and Bobby Savulich (East)—23.10. Other notable finishers were African champion, David Dunford (East)—23.11, American record holder Bryan Lundquist (West)—23.52 and Canadian record holder, Joe Bartoch (West)—23.75. Earlier in, Bovell III was fourth in the men’s 200 metres individual in two minutes, 14.58 seconds to trail Darian Townsend (West)—2:01.29 mins; 2008 Olympic finalist and world bronze medallist winner Peng Wu (East)—2:02.11 mins, and Brunelli (2:08.46).
And in final event on the night, Bovell combined with West ‘A’ team-mates, Christopher Brady, Alex Hetland and Lundquist for third spot in the 200 metres medley relay in 1:41.73 to beat team-mates, Kevin Doak, Joe Bartoch, Nelson Westby and Coville (West B)—1:42.23. First home was East A led by Dunford (J) and Brunelli in 1:40.54 minutes while East B comprising Wu, Savulich, BJ Johnson and Dunford (D) was second in 1:41.53. At the end of the first night of competition, Bovell’s West has a tally 92.5 points to trail East (110.5). Speaking after his victory, Bovell II said it was a big win considering all the drama with the car accident and the bruise to his brain. “It was a little rushed and with a long finish, but I will take it. While the meet is relatively new, the top T&T swimmer was quick to point out that there was a high quality field of swimmers present and starting off the season with a win always helps build confidence. “I had just swam the 200m individual medley not long before so I was not very fresh, but the 50m freestyle itself felt solid.
Reflecting on the build-up to the event, Bovell, the 2003 Pan American double gold medal winner said, “I have been under heavy training and my body is definitely tired, sore and stiff but the best practice for racing is racing. It’s good early in the season to race under adverse circumstances to get comfortable being uncomfortable.” Yesterday, Bovell who has stepped up his preparations for next year’s London Olympics and is being coached by American Mike Bottom at the two-day event was expected to compete in no fewer than four events in an effort to help his team take the overall title.
Source: www.guardian.co.tt
By Nigel Simon