In the first-ever Open Water Junior National Championships, California native Noah Brune (Mission Viejo, Calif./ Mission Viejo Nadadores) and Erica Sullivan (Las Vegas, Nev./ Sandpipers of Nevada) cruised to 5-kilometer junior national titles on day two of the USA Swimming Open Water National Championships.

Men’s 5-kilometer Junior National Championship - Final

Results

1. Noah Brune (Mission Viejo, Calif./ Mission Viejo Nadadores), 1:01:27.1
2. Brennan Gravely (Las Vegas, Nev./ Sandpipers of Nevada), 1:01:42.6
3. Joseph Gutierrez (Las Vegas, Nev./ Sandpipers of Nevada), 1:01:43.7

Quotes
Noah Brune: “It was a good race. I thought I swam it well and swam it smart. I started out nice and easy then towards the second half I started to pick it up and tried to hold the pace through the final lap. I had a rough 10K yesterday, so coming back today and swimming well makes me feel good.”

Women’s 5-kilometer Junior National Championship - Final

Results

1. Erica Sullivan (Las Vegas, Nev./ Sandpipers of Nevada), 1:05.19.9
2. Nicole Salladin (Fullerton, Calif./ FAST Swim Team), 1:06.05.2
3. Mackenzie Arens (Bloomington, Ill./ Academy Bullets Swim Club), 1:06:29.1

Quotes
Erica Sullivan: “I just wanted to go in and scope out the field. I definitely tested the strengths of the other swimmers out there. At some point in the first lap I felt that I had enough energy to break away from the pack and start to do my own thing. I picked the right spot to swim away from everyone else.”

The final day of competition continues Sunday with the senior-level 5K national championship at 8 a.m.