The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

GLASGOW, Scotland — Dustin Tynes closed out his debut at the senior international level with a 15th position overall in the men’s 50 metres breastroke at the 20th Commonwealth Games on Sunday.

His time of 29.53 seconds for eighth place in his semifinal heat was not as fast as the preliminary round earlier in the day when he matched his lifetime best with a time of 29.08 for fifth place and 15th overall.

But all things considered, Tynes said he couldn’t ask for a better showing.

“I did better this morning when I tied my national record,” he said. “Tonight, I don’t know what happened. I guess it was just unexpected. But it gives me a lot of motivation to get back in the pool and get it right for Youth Olympics next month.

“I felt like I rushed through my stroke tempo. I didn’t get a good feel for my stroke tempo the whole way. It just wasn’t a swim that I usually do. So next month, I will try to get under 29, at least a 28. That’s all I could do now.”

With his appearance here over and done with, Tynes said he was pleased with his performances.

“I got a lot of exposure to what world-class swimming is all about, the preparation and just being in the room with the world-class athletes,” he said. “I can’t compare any other experience than I had at this meet. So I was really pleased that I was a part of this meet and just swim with Olympic gold and silver medallists and learn how they carry themselves around the pool.”

Tynes, 18, intends to take the experience gained with him when he travels with Joanna Evans and coach Andy Loveitt to Nanjing, China, next month for the Youth Olympics.

“I learned a lot and it’s looking good for me. Me and coach Andy have to go back and put in a lot more work and get ready for the meet,” he said. “I think me and Joanna will do very well at the meet.”

Once he’s done, Tynes will be heading directly to Ohio State University on August 25 as he looks forward to making a splash on the men’s swim team as he follows in the footsteps of former Buckeye Nicholas Rees, who went on to compete at the Olympic Games.

“It’s going to be a good year,” said Tynes, who plans to study economics. “I’m excited.”

After his trip here, you could understand why.