QUEBEC CITY – Katrina Bellio of Etobicoke, Ont., barely had time to catch her breath after last week’s trials but struck for two victories on Thursday to open the 2019 Speedo Eastern Championships swimming competition.

Bellio,14, posted victories in the women’s 13-15 age group 200-m freestyle and 800-m freestyle races. Her 2:00.84 in the 200 was a provincial age group record.

‘’I was really trying to get best times again and see how much I could improve,’’ said Bellio, who made the world junior team last week at the Canadian Swimming Trials in Toronto. ‘’My 200 race was fantastic, I dropped another two seconds from last weekend. The girls really pushed each other in the race.’’

It was a big night for the Pointe-Claire Swim Cub as their swimmers posted five wins on the night. They swept gold in all four men’s 17 and over group races with Patrick Hussey taking the 200-m free and 800-m free. Kyle Douglas won the 100-m backstroke and Moncef Balamane the 200-m breaststroke. Katrina Brathwaite was first in the 16 and over 200-m breaststroke.

Joshua Liendo was first in the men’s 15-16 200-m free and also helped the North York Aquatic Club to a national age group record in the men’s 4X100-m freestyle.

‘’I just wanted to focus on the things I needed to do right in terms of technique and race strategy,’’ said Liendo. ‘’I’m not really a 200 freestyler so I wasn’t expecting that strong a swim.’’

Madison Broad was one of two winners from the Chatham Y Pool Sharks placing first in the women’s 16 and over 100-m back.

‘’I felt it was OK,’’ said Broad, nominated to the Pan Am Games team last week. ‘’My turns were good and I was well prepared with a good few days of training. It’s important to swim well at two consecutive meets like this.’’

Competition continues through to Sunday at the PEPS.

Full results: https://results.swimming.ca/2019_Speedo_Eastern_Championships/