In her last chance to qualify for the Pan Pacific championships, Varsity Blues swimmer Zsofi Balazs made no mistake, winning the 10km open water event on August 1 at the 2010 senior national championships.

With the win, the Toronto native secured a trip to Long Beach, California and a chance to represent Canada on the Pan Pacific stage, August 18-22. Balazs was pleased she bounced back after an unsatisfactory performance at the world open water championships.

“I’m really excited about my race after a disappointing showing at the worlds in Roberval,” said Balazs. “My coach, Linda Kiefer, told me to stick to the boys pack and get as far ahead as possible in the race. Obviously this strategy really worked well for me.”

The 2010 Pan Pacific championships open water 10km race will take place on a course that is very familiar to Balazs.

“I know the course. I’ve been there before for world championship trials, so I’m going to go there, do my best and try to get a top placing,” added Balazs.

A three-time CIS gold medalist in 2010, Chetrat of Oakville, Ont. was also named to Canada’s Pan Pacific roster and will compete in the men’s 200m butterfly, while recent Varsity Blues alumni and 2008 Olympian Colin Russell will vie for a top spot in the men’s 200m freestyle.

Also making the trip to California are University of Toronto high performance centre members Warren Barnes in the 100m breaststroke and Tobias Oriwol in both the 200m backstroke and individual medley (IM).

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