2019 Pan American Games: U.S. Women Bring Home Gold in 400 Free Relay

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

The 2019 Pan American Games entered its first night of competition in Peru, as athletes from the Americas convened for an intracontinental showdown. Positioned at the end of a climactic summer, the Games had much work to do in the immediate aftermath of the World Championships. In true form, however, the athletes delivered, kicking off the event in a way that sent shockwaves throughout the swimming community. A mere tease of what is to come, tonight’s events showcased the strength of the Americas, as Lima revs up for an exciting week of competition.

America’s lethal quartet of Lia Neal, Claire Rasmus, Kendyl Stewart, and Margo Geer proved more than enough for the championship win in the women’s 400 free relay, as the four sprinted to a 3:39.59 finish to gain a healthy advantage over Brazil’s Etiene Pires de Medeiros, Larissa Martins de Oliviera, Manuella Duarte Lyrio, and Daynara Lopes Ferreira (3:41.01).

It was far from easy, however, as the States found themselves at the disadvantage halfway through the race before Stewart narrowly out-split Lyrio to gain the slight lead. It was Geer who won the race, turning in the second fastest split in the field (54.36) to give the Americans enough closing speed to seal the deal. Canada clocked in at 3:41.01 to clinch third, despite possessing the fastest woman in the heat in Alexia Zevnik, who split 54.03 at anchor.

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