2020 US Open: Kieran Smith Locks Up Victory in 200 Freestyle in Sarasota
Last March, as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in the United States, Kieran Smith was one of the swimmers most affected by the cancellation of the NCAA Championships. The University of Florida star was poised to finish the college campaign in style, and then turn his attention to the United States Olympic Trials. Of course, those opportunities were taken away and Smith – like many others – was left to wonder what might have been.
With racing returning this weekend in the form of the US Open at nine sites across the country, Smith took advantage of the chance to compete, as he won the 200-meter freestyle on Friday night. Competing in Sarasota, Smith produced a time of 1:47.29 to win the event comfortably over Robert Freeman (1:49.66). With the United States seeking to regain global control of the 800 freestyle relay, Smith has positioned himself to be a factor in that pursuit.
In addition to being a threat to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in the 200 freestyle, Smith will be a contender in the 400 freestyle, an event he won during the morning session of the US Open.
Emma Weyant, a Virginia recruit, continued her winning ways by beating the opposition in the 400 individual medley and the 200 freestyle. Already the winner of the 400 free, 800 free and 200 IM, Weyant added the longer medley to her ledger, thanks to a time of 4:40.84, and added the 200 free in 2:00.85. On the men’s side, Robert Finke was first in the 400 medley in 4:18.08.
Yusuf Tibazi went 54.14 to win the men’s 100 butterfly and Clark Beach won the 100 backstroke in 55.77. In the women’s 100 breaststroke, Petra Halmai emerged on top in 1:09.48.
