U.S. Olympic Trials: Andrew Gemmell, Connor Jaeger Break 15:00 for Top Two Seeds in 1500 Free Finals

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OMAHA, Nebraska, July 1. A pair of swimmers cleared 15:00 in men's 1500 free qualifying, with one deciding to swim a 1600 while he was at it at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials.

Both Andrew Gemmell and Connor Jaeger broke 15:00 for the first time in their careers. Gemmell, who swims for the Delaware Swim Team, demolished his lifetime best of 15:01.31 from last summer's national championships with a leading time of 14:57.29. That performance shot him to fifth in the world rankings, behind only Sun Yang (14:42.30), Tae Hwan Park (14:47.38), Gregorio Paltrinieri (14:48.92) and Daniel Fogg (14:55.30).

Meanwhile, Jaeger, who swims for Michigan, cut eight seconds from his personal best with a 14:59.97. His best time heading into the meet had been a 15:07.29 from the USA Swimming Grand Prix held in Charlotte. Jaeger, however, did not hear the bell on the final lap and just kept on swimming, as his 14:59.97 was recorded with a finish to the feet. Jaeger wound up swimming an extra 100 meters before realizing he was done. He vaulted to eighth in the world rankings with the swim behind Gemmell, Gergo Kis (14:58.15) and Hao Yun (14:58.44).

Arthur Frayler of Germantown, swimming in the same heat as Gemmell, qualified third in 15:08.08, while defending champion Peter Vanderkaay cruised into the finale with a 15:08.93. Michael McBroom (15:10.32), Chad La Tourette (15:10.38), Sean Ryan (15:10.54) and Ryan Feeley (15:10.55) comprised the rest of the championship finale.

The Finalists:
Andrew Gemmell — 14:57.29
Connor Jaeger — 14:59.97
Arthur Frayler — 15:08.08
Peter Vanderkaay — 15:08.93
Michael McBroom — 15:10.32
Chad La Tourette — 15:10.38
Sean Ryan — 15:10.54
Ryan Feeley — 15:10.55

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