2023 SEC Championships, Day 3 Prelims: Jordan Crooks, Maggie MacNeil Flying Again

sec-art-adamson-lsu-Maggie MacNeil | Photo by: Chris Parent
Photo Courtesy: Chris Parent

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2023 SEC Championships, Day 3 Prelims: Jordan Crooks, Maggie MacNeil Flying Again

A day after savaging the field in the 50 freestyle at the 2023 SEC Championships, Jordan Crooks and Maggie MacNeil are at it again.

Both swimmers are the top seeds in the 100 butterfly events, swum Thursday morning at Texas A&M. MacNeil’s triumph was relatively pedestrian by her standards, though the conference record will surely be in her sights tonight. Crooks’s record-setting rampage included the SEC Championships record which had belonged to Caeleb Dressel.

The full morning recap from the Student Recreation Aquatic Center:

2023 SEC Championships Links

SEC Championships Team Scores

  • (after Night 2)
 Women - Team Rankings - Through Event 15                 
 
  1. University of Florida             502   2. Louisiana State University        378
  3. University of Tennessee           375   4. Georgia, University of            329
  5. University of Alabama             306   6. Kentucky, University of           300
  7. South Carolina, University of,    286   8. Texas A&M University              226
  9. Auburn University                 222  10. University of Arkansas            205
 11. Missouri                          177  12. Vanderbilt University              94
  Men - Team Rankings - Through Event 14                  
 
  1. University of Florida           542.5   2. Texas A&M University              380
  2. Auburn University                 380   4. University of Tennessee           347
  5. Georgia, University of          268.5   6. Universityof Alabama              249
  7. Missouri                        214.5   8. South Carolina, University of,  203.5
  9. Kentucky, University of           162  10. Louisiana State University        131

Women’s 400 individual medley

Florida’s Emma Weyant continues to give the Gators a boost as they chase a first title in 11 years. She is the top seed in the IM after a 4:06.44, a second ahead of the field. The Olympic silver medalist paced a three Gators in the top five, joined by Mabel Zavaros in third and Kathleen Golding in fifth. Second place went to Kentucky’s Lauren Poole.

Event 16  Women 400 Yard IM
==================================================================
         NCAA: N 3:54.60  3/16/2018 Ella Eastin, Stanford
          SEC: S 3:58.23  3/22/2019 Sydney Pickrem, Texas A&M
     SEC Meet: M 3:58.35  2/17/2012 Elizabeth Beisel, Florida
         POOL: P 3:59.30  2/16/2018 Sydney Pickrem, Texas A&M
                 4:03.62  A
                 4:17.30  B
    Name           Year School               Seed    Prelims              
==================================================================
                      === Preliminaries ===                       
 
  1 Weyant, Emma J   SO Florida-FL        4:10.60    4:06.44 qB     
    r:+0.75  26.89        56.41 (29.52)
        1:27.94 (31.53)     1:58.52 (30.58)
        2:34.01 (35.49)     3:09.10 (35.09)
        3:38.25 (29.15)     4:06.44 (28.19)
  2 Poole, Lauren M  SR Kentucky          4:07.13    4:07.53 qB     
    r:+0.74  25.86        55.58 (29.72)
        1:26.57 (30.99)     1:57.44 (30.87)
        2:33.04 (35.60)     3:08.49 (35.45)
        3:38.56 (30.07)     4:07.53 (28.97)
  3 Zavaros, Mabel   JR Florida-FL        4:07.41    4:07.81 qB     
    r:+0.68  26.22        56.20 (29.98)
        1:27.75 (31.55)     1:57.78 (30.03)
        2:34.35 (36.57)     3:11.20 (36.85)
        3:40.51 (29.31)     4:07.81 (27.30)
  4 Goerigk, Giulia     Texas A&M-GU      4:05.75    4:08.54 qB     
    r:+0.70  26.44        57.19 (30.75)
        1:29.18 (31.99)     2:00.45 (31.27)
        2:35.47 (35.02)     3:11.04 (35.57)
        3:40.31 (29.27)     4:08.54 (28.23)
  5 Golding, Kathle  JR Florida-FL        4:09.18    4:08.88 qB     
    r:+0.71  26.42        56.23 (29.81)
        1:27.74 (31.51)     1:59.01 (31.27)
        2:34.94 (35.93)     3:11.41 (36.47)
        3:40.40 (28.99)     4:08.88 (28.48)
  6 Ownbey, Hannah   JR Auburn-SE         4:11.21    4:09.42 qB     
    r:+0.63  26.09        56.32 (30.23)
        1:29.13 (32.81)     2:00.71 (31.58)
        2:36.24 (35.53)     3:11.46 (35.22)
        3:40.94 (29.48)     4:09.42 (28.48)
  7 Goettler, Laura  JR South Carolina-S  4:15.45    4:10.27 qB     
    r:+0.64  26.58        56.63 (30.05)
        1:29.14 (32.51)     2:00.72 (31.58)
        2:35.90 (35.18)     3:11.03 (35.13)
        3:40.92 (29.89)     4:10.27 (29.35)
  8 Davey, Gillian   SR Kentucky          4:07.36    4:10.44 qB     
    r:+0.73  27.12        57.92 (30.80)
        1:30.20 (32.28)     2:01.90 (31.70)
        2:36.09 (34.19)     3:10.85 (34.76)
        3:41.31 (30.46)     4:10.44 (29.13)

Men’s 400 individual medley

The champion in the 200 IM, Baylor Nelson, is chasing the double, starting it with a 3:39.58 that garners him the top seed in the evening. Like the Florida women, Texas A&M earned three of the top five spots, Anze Fers Erzen in third and Andres Puente Bustamante fifth. But Mason Laur of Florida is the second seed, checking any chances of the Aggies jumping too far in the team classifications.

Event 17  Men 400 Yard IM
==================================================================
         NCAA: N 3:31.84  1/21/2023 Leon Marchand, Arizona State
          SEC: S 3:33.42  3/24/2017 Chase Kalisz, Georgia
     SEC Meet: M 3:35.76  2/16/2018 Hugo Gonzalez, Auburn
         POOL: P 3:35.76  2/16/2018 Hugo Gonzales, Auburn
                 3:39.16  A
                 3:51.31  B
    Name           Year School               Seed    Prelims              
==================================================================
                      === Preliminaries ===                       
 
  1 Nelson, Baylor      Texas A&M-GU      3:38.39    3:39.58 qB     
    r:+0.63  23.09        49.91 (26.82)
        1:17.78 (27.87)     1:45.12 (27.34)
        2:15.73 (30.61)     2:47.48 (31.75)
        3:14.07 (26.59)     3:39.58 (25.51)
  2 Laur, Mason A    SO Florida-FL        3:43.42    3:40.18 qB     
    r:+0.62  23.02        49.29 (26.27)
        1:17.90 (28.61)     1:45.56 (27.66)
        2:16.63 (31.07)     2:48.19 (31.56)
        3:14.49 (26.30)     3:40.18 (25.69)
  3 Fers Erzen, Anz     Texas A&M-GU      3:39.05    3:41.65 qB     
    r:+0.67  23.62        50.64 (27.02)
        1:18.97 (28.33)     1:46.49 (27.52)
        2:17.77 (31.28)     2:48.74 (30.97)
        3:15.73 (26.99)     3:41.65 (25.92)
  4 Grum, Ian        SR Georgia           3:40.81    3:41.71 qB     
    r:+0.71  22.60        49.04 (26.44)
        1:17.12 (28.08)     1:44.65 (27.53)
        2:17.00 (32.35)     2:50.02 (33.02)
        3:16.24 (26.22)     3:41.71 (25.47)
  5 Puente Bustaman     Texas A&M-GU      3:41.22    3:41.74 qB     
    r:+0.64  23.43        50.42 (26.99)
        1:19.48 (29.06)     1:48.32 (28.84)
        2:18.23 (29.91)     2:48.61 (30.38)
        3:15.87 (27.26)     3:41.74 (25.87)
  6 Linscheer, Giov  FR Florida-FL        3:48.56    3:41.99 qB     
    r:+0.72  24.45        52.02 (27.57)
        1:20.84 (28.82)     1:48.64 (27.80)
        2:19.80 (31.16)     2:50.70 (30.90)
        3:17.10 (26.40)     3:41.99 (24.89)
  7 Driggers, Lando  SO Tennessee-SE      3:41.06    3:42.03 qB     
    r:+0.71  24.00        51.14 (27.14)
        1:18.98 (27.84)     1:46.42 (27.44)
        2:18.26 (31.84)     2:50.45 (32.19)
        3:17.10 (26.65)     3:42.03 (24.93)
  8 Rosely, Zane T   JR Kentucky          3:50.24    3:43.53 qB     
    r:+0.57  23.88        50.54 (26.66)
        1:19.63 (29.09)     1:48.24 (28.61)
        2:19.51 (31.27)     2:51.15 (31.64)
        3:17.90 (26.75)     3:43.53 (25.63)

Women’s 100 butterfly

Maggie MacNeil has a 49.40 under her belt in college competition this year, so a 51.12 for the top seed in prelims is relatively tame from her. But she’s already taken down one Erika Brown conference record this week in the 50 free, and the 49.38 from 2020 is sitting out there for the taking at night for the LSU grad student.

Auburn’s Meghan Lee is the nearest challenger, after a season-best 51.28. Andrea Sansores of Arkansas continued a stellar meet by getting the third seed. Alabama’s Rhyan White snuck into the final in eighth and isn’t to be counted out; she’s been 51.79 this year.

Event 18  Women 100 Yard Butterfly
==================================================================
         NCAA: N 48.89  3/19/2021 Maggie MacNeil, Michigan
          SEC: S 49.38  2/19/2020 Erika Brown, Tennessee
     SEC Meet: M 49.38  2/20/2020 Erika Brown, Tennessee
         POOL: P 49.85  2/16/2018 Erika Brown, Tennessee
                 50.92  A
                 53.69  B
    Name           Year School               Seed    Prelims              
==================================================================
                      === Preliminaries ===                       
 
  1 MacNeil, Maggie  GR LSU-LA              49.40      51.12 qB     
    r:+0.69  11.04        23.68 (12.64)
          37.48 (13.80)       51.12 (13.64)
  2 Lee, Meghan R    JR Auburn-SE           52.25      51.28 qB     
    r:+0.64  11.25        24.14 (12.89)
          37.65 (13.51)       51.28 (13.63)
  3 Sansores, Andre  SR Arkansas-AR         53.14      51.86 qB     
    r:+0.64  10.92        23.99 (13.07)
          37.84 (13.85)       51.86 (14.02)
  4 Theall, Olivia      Texas A&M-GU        51.25      51.97 qB     
    r:+0.65  11.04        24.26 (13.22)
          37.92 (13.66)       51.97 (14.05)
  5 Stotler, Sara B  SO Tennessee-SE        52.58      52.07 qB     
    r:+0.68  11.18        24.24 (13.06)
          38.01 (13.77)       52.07 (14.06)
  6 Peoples, Olivia  SO Florida-FL          52.60      52.08 qB     
    r:+0.64  11.06        24.20 (13.14)
          37.89 (13.69)       52.08 (14.19)
  7 Dickinson, Call  GS Georgia             52.60      52.09 qB     
    r:+0.65  11.34        24.36 (13.02)
          38.10 (13.74)       52.09 (13.99)
  8 White, Rhyan E   SR Alabama-SE          51.79      52.38 qB     
    r:+0.68  11.32        24.50 (13.18)
          38.42 (13.92)       52.38 (13.96)

Men’s 100 butterfly

Another Jordan Crooks swim, another Jordan Crooks broken record. This one is the SEC Championships mark set by one Caeleb Dressel in 2017 at 44.21. Crooks’ time of 44.04 also downs another of the resilient pool marks form 2009 NCAAs, owned by Tennessee’s Austin Staab at 44.18. The question in the final is if he can make headway on Dressel’s NCAA record of 42.80.

The final won’t be a cakewalk though. Josh Liendo threw down an A cut 44.34 and has been swimming splendidly. Missouri’s Clement Secchi is the third seed at 45.21 and was outstanding in the medley relay. Tennessee has four A finalists, with a chance to put some pressure on Florida in the team category.

 Event 19  Men 100 Yard Butterfly
==================================================================
         NCAA: N 42.80  3/23/2018 Caeleb Dressel, Florida
          SEC: S 42.80  3/23/2018 Caeleb Dressel, Florida
     SEC Meet: M 44.21  2/18/2017 Caeleb Dressel, Florida
         POOL: P 44.18  3/28/2009 Austin Staab, STAN
                 44.82  A
                 47.23  B
    Name           Year School               Seed    Prelims              
==================================================================
                      === Preliminaries ===                       
 
  1 Crooks, Jordan   SO Tennessee-SE        44.79      44.04PqA     
     r:+0.61  9.13        20.04 (10.91)
          31.86 (11.82)       44.04 (12.18)
  2 Liendo, Josh     FR Florida-FL          45.79      44.34 qA     
     r:+0.63  9.29        20.49 (11.20)
          32.44 (11.95)       44.34 (11.90)
  3 Secchi, Clement  SR Missouri-MV         46.05      45.21 qB     
     r:+0.60  9.54        20.77 (11.23)
          32.71 (11.94)       45.21 (12.50)
  4 Kammann, Bjoern  SO Tennessee-SE        46.05      45.41 qB     
     r:+0.70  9.43        20.87 (11.44)
          32.84 (11.97)       45.41 (12.57)
  5 Foote, Connor R     Texas A&M-GU        46.24      45.62 qB     
     r:+0.66  9.64        20.93 (11.29)
          32.99 (12.06)       45.62 (12.63)
  6 Stoffle, Aidan   SR Auburn-SE           46.15      45.68 qB     
     r:+0.63  9.58        20.92 (11.34)
          33.06 (12.14)       45.68 (12.62)
  7 Lierz, Harrison  JR Tennessee-SE        47.02      46.01 qB     
     r:+0.66  9.92        21.62 (11.70)
          33.69 (12.07)       46.01 (12.32)
  8 Brice, Luke A    5Y Tennessee-SE        46.36      46.03 qB     
     r:+0.62  9.85        21.36 (11.51)
          33.59 (12.23)       46.03 (12.44)

Women’s 200 freestyle

Chloe Stepanek will give the home fans something to cheer for, leading the way in the 200 free. Her time of 1:43.54 bested Tennessee’s Brooklyn Douthwright by .15 in the morning.

Florida has three A finalists in pursuit, led by Micayla Cronk in third at 1:44.17.

 Event 20  Women 200 Yard Freestyle
==================================================================
         NCAA: N 1:39.10  3/20/2015 Missy Franklin, California
          SEC: S 1:41.21  3/16/2012 Megan Romano, Georgia
     SEC Meet: M 1:41.83  2/20/2014 Shannon Vreeland, Georgia
         POOL: P 1:42.01  3/20/2009 Dana Vollmer, CAL
                 1:42.98  A
                 1:47.12  B
    Name           Year School               Seed    Prelims              
==================================================================
                      === Preliminaries ===                       
 
  1 Stepanek, Chloe     Texas A&M-GU      1:43.83    1:43.54 qB     
    r:+0.69  24.19        50.69 (26.50)
        1:17.13 (26.44)     1:43.54 (26.41)
  2 Douthwright, Br     Tennessee-SE      1:43.60    1:43.69 qB     
    r:+0.63  24.56        50.79 (26.23)
        1:17.24 (26.45)     1:43.69 (26.45)
  3 Cronk, Micayla   SO Florida-FL        1:45.22    1:44.17 qB     
    r:+0.64  23.62        49.77 (26.15)
        1:16.60 (26.83)     1:44.17 (27.57)
  4 Nikonova, Ekate  SO Florida-FL        1:45.12    1:44.42 qB     
    r:+0.71  24.19        50.75 (26.56)
        1:17.77 (27.02)     1:44.42 (26.65)
  5 Bates, Talia B   SR Florida-FL        1:45.03    1:45.01 qB     
    r:+0.71  24.45        51.09 (26.64)
        1:18.16 (27.07)     1:45.01 (26.85)
  6 Wheeler, Kaitly  SR Kentucky          1:45.34    1:45.18 qB     
    r:+0.61  24.79        51.71 (26.92)
        1:18.19 (26.48)     1:45.18 (26.99)
  7 Gati, Izzy G     GS Kentucky          1:45.40    1:45.38 qB     
    r:+0.62  24.84        51.80 (26.96)
        1:18.62 (26.82)     1:45.38 (26.76)
  8 Nevmovenko, Pol  JR Auburn-SE         1:46.21    1:45.59 qB     
    r:+0.69  24.53        51.16 (26.63)
        1:18.48 (27.32)     1:45.59 (27.11)

Men’s 200 freestyle

Charlie Hawke lowered his Alabama record in taking the top seed in 1:31.85. He’s .36 up on Missouri’s Jack Dahlgren, after a good session by the Tigers. Florida has an A finalist in Maguire McDuff in third. The eight A finalists hail from seven different schools, Bama the only one with multiples. Among them is Brooks Curry, seventh in 1:33.31.

The B final looks a lot like the 2023 SEC Championships 500 free A final: Jake Mitchell (500 free champ) is 10th, Michael Bonson (sixth in the 500) is 11th, Alfonso Mestre (third in the 500) is 12th and 500 free runner-up Jake Magahey is 14th.

Event 21  Men 200 Yard Freestyle
==================================================================
         NCAA: N 1:29.15  3/27/2019 Dean Farris, Harvard
          SEC: S 1:29.48  2/23/2021 Kieran Smith, Florida
     SEC Meet: M 1:29.48  2/22/2021 Kieran Smith, Florida
         POOL: P 1:31.70  3/27/2009 Shaune Fraser, UF
                 1:31.98  A
                 1:35.88  B
    Name           Year School               Seed    Prelims              
==================================================================
                      === Preliminaries ===                       
 
  1 Hawke, Charlie   SO Alabama-SE        1:31.89    1:31.85 qA     
    r:+0.75  21.68        44.77 (23.09)
        1:08.16 (23.39)     1:31.85 (23.69)
  2 Dahlgren, Jack   SR Missouri-MV       1:33.48    1:32.21 qB     
    r:+0.63  21.36        44.65 (23.29)
        1:08.16 (23.51)     1:32.21 (24.05)
  3 McDuff, Macguir  SO Florida-FL        1:33.25    1:32.45 qB     
    r:+0.64  21.32        44.61 (23.29)
        1:08.43 (23.82)     1:32.45 (24.02)
  4 Dunham, Bradley  SR Georgia           1:34.18    1:33.07 qB     
    r:+0.67  22.10        45.51 (23.41)
        1:08.98 (23.47)     1:33.07 (24.09)
  5 Bratanov, Koko      Texas A&M-GU      1:32.49    1:33.16 qB     
    r:+0.66  21.80        45.41 (23.61)
        1:09.15 (23.74)     1:33.16 (24.01)
  6 Alves, Kaique K  SO Alabama-SE        1:34.23    1:33.27 qB     
    r:+0.67  21.84        45.41 (23.57)
        1:09.21 (23.80)     1:33.27 (24.06)
  7 Curry, Brooks V  SR LSU-LA            1:33.56    1:33.31 qB     
    r:+0.60  20.85        44.43 (23.58)
        1:08.69 (24.26)     1:33.31 (24.62)
  8 Berg, Max        JR Kentucky          1:35.42    1:33.37 qB     
    r:+0.61  21.07        44.45 (23.38)
        1:08.59 (24.14)     1:33.37 (24.78)
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