Katie Ledecky Going For 500 Free/200 IM Epic Double: USA Nationals Heat Sheets

Katie Ledecky

Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott

GREENSBORO – Katie Ledecky is one of many athletes who will swim more than once in tonight’s finals at the USA Swimming Short Course Nationals, competing in the championship final of the 500 freestyle and 200 individual medley.

THURSDAY FINALS HEAT SHEET

Ledecky, naturally, is the top seed in the 500 free, having posted a 4:33.70 this morning. Every time she dives into the pool, records are on notice, so keep an eye to see if the 4:28.71 she recorded last February for the American record survives tonight. After that, Ledecky will swim in the championship final of the next women’s event, the 200 IM. She’s the third seed behind Katie Meili and Meghan Small.

Ledecky won’t be the only swimmer in the 500 free to hop up for the 200 IM. On the women’s side, Leah Stevens will swim in the B finals of both events, as will Hannah Cox. Dylan Bosch was set to do the same on the men’s side, but has scratched from the 500 free championship final. That moved Michael Wynalda into the A final, Gavin Springer into the B final and Michael Messner into the C final.

Watch for the water to fly in the men’s 50 freestyle, where we could see all 24 athletes break 20 seconds. But will Nathan Adrian be able to break 19 seconds and take down his American record of 18.66? Keep an eye on Cesar Cielo’s U.S. Open record of 18.47 as well.

True Sweetser, just 17 years old, is the top seed in the men’s 500 free. Connor Jaeger is the second seed and will likely pull away from the field in the closing stages to win handily, but could pull the high schooler to another lifetime best.

And in the women’s 50 free, top seed Kelsi Worrell will look to beat the NCAA automatic qualifying time of 21.90, with Linnea Mack and Faith Johnson also aiming for a sub-22 second swim.

The session begins at 5 p.m. Eastern time. Click here to watch the live stream.

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