Julian Fletcher swam his third fastest time in the 200 metres breaststroke in the Pan Am Games heats at the Aquatics Centre at the University of Toronto Scarborough yesterday.

Fletcher, who carried Bermuda’s flag in the opening Ceremony at the Rogers Centre, finished fifth in his heat in a time of 2 min 20.97 sec.

The 24-year-old placed seventeenth out of 21 competitors to narrowly miss out on competing in tonight’s B final. Jorge Murillo of Colombia won Fletcher’s heat and set a Pan Am Games record in 2:11.62 in the process.

“It was my first race of the meet and it’s always hard to shake off the nerves and swim fast right off the bat,” said Fletcher, who was frustrated not to make the B final as he usually swims quicker at night.

“It was a good time for me and was my third fastest ever in the 200. It’s just unfortunate that this is not a three-event meet [50, 100 and 200]. The 50 is great for jumping in and getting a feel for the water.”

Fletcher said he was feeling confident of performing better in tomorrow’s 100 breaststroke, which has been his main focus this season.

“I’ve been working on my speed a lot and I’m really looking forward to the 100,” said the University of Southern California Elite Team swimmer.

“My main goal this season has been trying to get my 100 time down.”

Also in action on day two of the swimming was Lisa Blackburn, who finished fourteenth out of 16 swimmers in her 200 breaststroke heats in 2:42.82.

Blackburn, who came seventh in her heat, admits she still felt nervous prior to racing despite competing at her third Pan Am Games.

“It’s always good to get the first race out of the way,” said Blackburn, who will perform the 100 breaststroke tomorrow and the 200 individual medley on Saturday.

“I felt really good and it’s great to be at the Pan Am Games representing Bermuda. It’s always a huge honour.

“I would say that was a good time for me as the 200 breaststroke has just been a training event for me this season.

“I still get the nerves and that’s a good thing because if you don’t get nervous it doesn’t matter to you.”

Blackburn won silver medals in the 200 breaststroke and 4x100 medley, as well as a bronze in the 100 breaststroke at the 2003 Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, when she was competing for Canada.