Luke Reilly continued his strong form this season, winning the men’s 400 metre individual medley at the Team Canada swim trials in Toronto on Thursday night.
Swimming to a national title with a time of 4:17:21, Reilly’s win ensures him the opportunity to swim for Canada at this summers Pan Am Games in July.
The University of British Columbia Dolphin Association star was hoping to earn a personal best during day two of the trials.
“4:17 is my second fastest time ever, I would have liked to have done my best ever but I was doing heavier training this time than last year and couldn’t quite get there.”
However, the gold medalist is happy knowing that he has accomplished what he came to Toronto to do, qualify for the Pan Am Games.
“I was so nervous about making the team before the meet,” said Reilly, after the race, “I kept thinking I was going to mess up, even with all my training I was still nervous, so now that I’ve made it, its an amazing feeling.”
Alex Page, the second place finisher and a 2012 Olympian in this event, was ahead after the first leg — 100 metres of butterfly. Reilly, however, was not detered by his poor start, remembering 2014.
“Last year, Alec was ahead of me during the butterfly, so it was the same scenerio today,” says the youngster, who holds the fourth fastest Canadian time in this event at 4:15:86.
“So I thought it was no issue at all and I knew if I just keep pacing myself and holding my strength and kept my technique that I would be there at the end.”
Page who came in second with a time of 4:19:15 and ahead of third place finisher Tristan Cote at 4:19:56, was slightly disappointed with the result.
“I tried to execute the game plan as good as I could but sometimes it just doesn’t happen that way. Looking forward I guess I’ll have to fine tune that and get better.”
Getting better is what it is all about for Reilly and Page as they look to improve before they return in July and for Reilly he cannot wait.
“I’m exciting about coming back in the summer to this pool and representing my country at the Pan Am Games.”