March Swimmers of the Month

Just like I did in February, I am giving my awards for the top swimmers from the month of April. Same categories, and I'm gonna try to do my best to keep the repeats to a minimum, but I can't make any promises! I try to avoid ties, but sometimes it just isn't possible!

Pacific Rim Women's: Emily Seebohm, Australia

*The iron-woman of the Australian championships, Seebohm posted a 59.21 in winning the 100 back, faster than the pre-techsuit world record. She also won the 100 free and 50 back, took second in the 200 IM, and placed third in the 50 fly and 200 back, meaning she will most likely tackle a Phelpsian-eight events (including two relays) at this summer's Pan Pacs and Commonwealth Games.

Pacific Rim Men's: Brenton Rickard, Australia

*Rickard posted stellar, world-leading times in all three breaststroke distances at Aussie trials, including becoming only the third man to crack 2:10 in the 200 breast (2:09.31) in a textile suit.

African Women's: Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, Kenya/Great Britain

*In the midst of her break-out meet at the British Championships, the 16 year-old posted the second fastest time in the world in the 50 breast (31.04), behind only Leisel Jones. Look out for her 100 breast in the next few days! She is sitting out from international competition this year as she switches nationalities from Kenya to Britain/England.

African Men's: Jason Dunford, Kenya

*Swam the second-fastest time in the world in the 100 fly (52.33) and posted a top-ten time in the 50 fly (23.85) in winning both events at the Amsterdam Cup.

European Women's: Ranomi Kromowidjojo, Netherlands

*Taking over the mantle of the top Dutch sprinter from the pregnant Marleen Veldhuis, the 19 year-old posted the top times in the world by large margins in the 50 (24.40) and 100 free (53.44) at the Amsterdam Cup. Both rank among the fastest times ever in textile suits.

European Men's: Tie - Fred Bousquet, France and Liam Tancock, Great Britain

*Bousquet posted the only sub-21 50 free in 2010 with a 21.95 at a meet in Nancy, France, earlier this month, and also posted the third-fastest time in the world in the 50 fly (23.71). The 21.95 is perhaps the fastest ever in-season time swum without a techsuit. Tancock is currently swimming at the British championships in Sheffield, where he posted the top time in the world in the 50 back (24.52) and the second-best time in the world in the 100 free (48.80).

American Women's: Tie - Ariana Kukors, United States and Rebecca Soni, United States

*Posted stellar in-season times of 2:10.34 and 4:37.63 in the 200 and 400 IM, respectively, at the Austin Grand Prix, both second-ranked in the world to Olympic champion Stephanie Rice's swims from the Australian championships. Soni, meanwhile, dominated the breaststroke events in Austin swimming blistering times in both; she posted a 1:06.43 in the 100, the second fastest time in the world behind Leisel Jones, as well as a 2:22.91 in the 200, the fastest time in the world (even after Jones' swims from Aussie nationals).

American Men's: Matt Grevers, United States

*Posted blazing times in the 50 and 100 back on the second day of the Austin Grand Prix, clocking 24.72 and 53.05, respectively. Also finished third behind Cesar Cielo and Garrett Weber-Gale in both the 50 and 100 free.