Ally McHugh Grabs Gold in 800 Freestyle in Indy, as Battle For Tokyo Bid is Tight

Ally McHugh Grabs Gold in 800 Freestyle in Indy, as Battle For Tokyo Bid is Tight

There is no mystery that only one spot is available in the women’s 800-meter freestyle at next month’s United States Olympic Trials in Omaha. With Katie Ledecky in the field, one of the two American berths to the Olympic Games is already gone, barring a disaster of unforeseen levels. The battle for the last spot, though, is certainly shaping up to be sensational.

As the TYR Pro Series in Indianapolis came to a close on Saturday night, Ally McHugh notched her second distance triumph of the competition, as she won the 800 free in 8:26.24. She was followed in a tight battle by Emma Nordin (8:27.44), Sierra Schmidt (8:27.54) and Leah Smith (8:27.60). Nordin won the 400 free earlier in the week and had an all-around strong showing from the 200 freestyle through the 1500 freestyle.

“I was really happy with it,” McHugh said of her swim. “It was only two seconds off my best, so I was really happy with that. My freestyles have felt really good this week and so I’m happy with it. The heat was a stacked heat and so I was excited to race them and I’m looking forward to doing it again in a few weeks.”

On the men’s side, three athletes were able to break eight minutes, led by Egypt’s Marwan El Kamash, who covered the distance in 7:53.28. He was followed by Alfonso Mestre in 7:55.69, with American Zane Grothe going 7:59.33 for third.

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