2021 TYR Pro Swim Series: Emily Escobedo Snares Surprise Win Over Lilly King in 100 Breaststroke

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

2021 TYR Pro Swim Series: Emily Escobedo Snares Surprise Win Over Lilly King in 100 Breaststroke

One of the intriguing aspects of split locations for the TYR Pro Swim Series is the fact that top contenders may not go head-to-head if they opted to attend opposing meets. Therefore, a tight finish on paper may not show itself in the water. Such was the scenario that unfolded in the women’s 100-meter breaststroke.

Posting a time of 1:07.11 while competing at the Richmond site, Emily Escobedo emerged with victory in the 100 breaststroke, as she placed just ahead of the 1:07.14 managed by reigning Olympic champion Lilly King in San Antonio. Had the women raced together, perhaps they would have dipped under the 1:07 barrier.

“I’ve been training really well the last few weeks. I guess it didn’t pan out today,” King said with a laugh in a virtual mixed zone at the TYR Pro Swim Series.

“It’s weird getting back to a normal meet. We haven’t had that since Des Moines last year. We’re just trying to find a routine and get back into it and race long course again.”

“I would have obviously much rather had everyone here in the same location,” King said. I guess we got our communication messed up and we didn’t go to the same meet. It would have been a little better if everyone was here.”

The last time we saw King in action, she dominated the breaststroke events during the International Swimming League season and helped the Cali Condors to the team championship. In this opening meet of 2021, however, it was Escobedo who was the top performer. It helped that she was pushed in Richmond by Miranda Tucker, who clocked in at 1:07.94.

For the men, Nic Fink claimed victory in what was a slow final. With the athletes clearly in heavy training based on the scoreboard’s readouts, Fink won in 1:00.84, placing ahead of Cody Miller (1:01.42) and Will Licon (1:01.64). American-record holder Kevin Cordes was fourth in 1:01.83.

“In prelims, I was feeling a little disconnected I guess you could say. I haven’t really been doing too much speed stuff in workouts so it took me a few strokes to get in that rhythm and tonight I needed to get into that quicker,” Fink said at the end of the night at the TYR Pro Swim Series.

“Last year at this time I think I was a little faster. I’m not trying to compare apples to oranges because this year was so different. Jack has been burying us for a while and I was expecting to be a little bit slower than last year at this time. I’m pretty happy about the time, I can’t really complain about going 1:00 in-season. That’s where I’ve been so I want to get closer to the 59 range in-season.”

Fink is coming off a strong showing at the ISL, where he broke the American record in the 100 and 200 breaststroke in short course meters.

“There’s not too much of a difference (between short course and long course swimming). Once you’re in the water, the same instincts come out and the race strategy is pretty similar.”

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Fan

3 years ago

If Escobedo is beating King in the 100 untalented then when she tapers her 200 will be frighteningly good! We will have a great chance in Japan!