Local Swimmmer Wins 800 Freestyle at Heritage Park

John Blaney of the Mission Viejo Nadadores won the men’s 800-meter freestyle Tuesday, the first day of the U.S. West Junior Olympic Long Course Swimming Championships at Heritage Park in Irvine.

Blaney, 18, finished the race in 8 minutes 18.12 seconds, ahead of second-place Bill Pettitt, a member of the Phoenician (Ariz.) swim club who was timed in 8:18.66. Robert Rojas, also of the Nadadores, finished fourth in 8:22.80.

In the women’s 800, Phoenician’s Michelle Clark won in 8:53.65. Michelle Kagy of the Irvine Novaquatics was sixth in 9:03.43.

The event continues today through Saturday. The final in the women’s 200 breast stroke is at 5 p.m. today and will be followed by finals in the men’s 200 breaststroke, the women’s and men’s 200 backstroke and the women’s and men’s 200 butterfly.