Faith Johnson Earns First National 50 Free Title at USA Swimming Nationals

Photo Courtesy: Mike Comer/ProSwimVisuals.com

GREENSBORO – Though Linnea Mack was trying to win the 50 freestyle by doing it mostly underwater, NCAA finalist Faith Johnson used her experience to get her first national title.

Though the air was thick with the possibility of a sub-22 second swim, it wasn’t to be. Johnson posted a 22.12 for the win, which breaks the seventh-place tie she held with Samantha Bosma after this morning’s prelims. Mack showed off her supreme underwater skills, going to 15 meters on the start and turn to finish second with a 22.15 and a new lifetime best. Both ladies will be looking for faster swims as they eye the NCAA automatic qualifying time of 21.92.

Louisville’s Kelsi Worrell, the top seed in the event with a 22.02, faded to third with a 22.49. Ali DeLoof of Michigan (22.52) and Veronica Burchill of Carmel Swim Club (22.54) finished fourth and fifth, respectively. N.C. State rounded out the championship final, with Lauren Poli sixth in 22.67, Ashlyn Koletic seventh with a 22.71 and Natalie Labonge eighth in 22.82.

Rhi Jeffrey, the 28-year-old former national team member, won the B final with a strong 22.56 over 200 IM champion Katie Meili, who posted a 22.64. Maddy Frost threatened to win from lane eight with a third-place 22.77.

Melissa Gates, a former NCAA Division II standout, won the C final with a 22.71 from lane eight. Katie Kinnear was second with a 22.94 while Morgan Whyte rounded out the competitors under 23 seconds this evening with a third-place time of 22.99.

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