Nichols Adds a Victory in 500 Freestyle

Sara Nichols, 15, of Conejo-Simi Aquatics won the girls’ 500-yard freestyle event Friday at the U.S. Swimming Junior National Championships at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach. It was her second victory in a meet that matches the top 4% of the nation’s swimmers.

Nichols finished in 4:50.04, beating Joy Stover of Lawrence, Kan., and Rebecca Gilman of Buenaventura Swim Club. Gilman, 13, posted a third-place time of 4:54.37. On Tuesday, Nichols won the 1,000 freestyle.