Katie Ledecky Dominates To Win 200 Free At USA Swimming Nationals

Photo by: Mike Comer/ProSwimVisuals.com

GREENSBORO – After posting the second-fastest 500 freestyle in history yesterday, many wondered if Katie Ledecky could give Missy Franklin’s American record in the 200 freestyle a scare. Ledecky never showed the speed needed to challenge the pace, winning with a 1:42.39.

It’s three tenths off her lifetime best, but still one of the stronger swims we’ll see in the coming months as she finishes out her high school senior year. Could that record be challenged at her high school championships in February?

Kennedy Goss showed some heart in lane two, as the Canadian representing Indiana University placed second with a best time of 1:44.87. Her teammate Haley Lips also swam a lifetime best with a 1:45.05 for third place, giving Indiana head coach Ray Looze more reason to smile as he works as women’s head coach for team USA at the short course world championships.

Lips held off distance star Gillian Ryan of Michigan, who was fourth with a 1:45.24. St. Andrew’s Megan Moroney took fifth with a 1:46.59, followed by Paige Madden of City of Mobile (1:47.38), Courtney Harnish (1:47.47) and Claire Adams of Carmel (1:47.86).

Patricia Castro Ortega dropped a second from her prelim swim to take the B final in 1:46.18. Sam Cheverton battled with Lauren Case for second place, with Cheverton touching out Case, 1:47.04 to 1:47.12.

Becca Postoll also put up a much faster time in her finals swim than she did in prelims, winning the C final by five tenths with a 1:46.66. Katy Campbell was second with a 1:47.01 while Hannah Cox was right behind for third with a 1:47.03.

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