2020 US Open: Erica Sullivan Claims Victory in 400 Freestyle in Irvine; Justina Kozan Tops Field in 200 IM
Coming off a runnerup finish in the 800-meter freestyle, Erica Sullivan moved up a position on Friday morning, as she prevailed in the 400 freestyle at the Irvine site of the U.S. Open. A University of Texas recruit, after decommitting from USC, had no difficulty winning over eight laps, as she touched the wall in 4:12.13, more than five seconds clear of Katie Crom (4:17.84).
Sullivan has been 4:06-mid during her career, so it is obvious that she is using the U.S. Open as a training meet. At next year’s Olympic Trials, Sullivan is expected to contend for a berth on the Team USA squad that will travel to Tokyo for the delayed Olympic Games. Sullivan’s best chance to qualify is likely the 1500 freestyle.
Mission Viejo’s Justina Kozan picked up a triumph in the 200 individual medley as the 16-year-old posted a time of 2:14.34. That time bettered the 2:16.37 of Samantha Pearson, with Isabelle Odgers placing third in 2:16.53. In the 50 freestyle, victory was claimed by Meredith Smithbaker, who touched the wall in 26.06.
In Beaverton, Oregon, Taylor McCoy was the winner of the 200 medley in 2:21.56 and Lily Gardner won the 50 freestyle in 26.49. The 100 breaststroke was won by Eva Carlson in 1:10.81.
In Irvine, Grant House covered the 200 individual medley in 2:03.04 to pick up a comfortable win over Etay Gurevich (2:05.53). The 400 freestyle was won by John Gallant in 3:53.61, with Olympian Jordan Wilimovsky a second back in 3:54.56. In the 50 freestyle, Payton Sorenson was the only sub-23 performer, going 22.73.
