The 2008 Speedo Junior National Championships kicked off this evening with the men’s and women’s 800m freestyle events in Minneapolis, Minn., at the University of Minnesota Aquatics Center. Salmon Bay Aquatics’ Amber McDermott and Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center swimmer Jason Taylor were responsible for the first individual wins of the meet.

McDermott began her schedule of events by collecting gold in the women’s 800m free in a time of 8:40.59. In a battle for silver, it was Haley Anderson who got her hand on the wall first. Anderson edged Kirsten Groome by .09 seconds with a time of 8:41.57. Groome took third in 8:41.68.

On the men’s side, it was Taylor took home his first victory of the four-day meet when he stopped the clock at 8:07.77. Tyler Sell followed in second with a time of 8:08.69. Touching in 5 seconds after the leader was Charlie Rimkus, who earned the bronze in a time of 8:12.15.

The championships continue tomorrow, with prelims beginning at 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m., when the men’s and women’s 100m free, 200m breaststroke, 200m backstroke and 200m butterfly will be contested.

Editor's Note: This press release comes courtesy of USA Swimming.