American Women Lead Heats of 400 Free Relay

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Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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The United States women took the top spot in the women’s 400 free relay prelims, buoyed by a 52.47 anchor split from Mallory Comerford in her FINA World Championships debut. Lia Neal (53.94), Kelsi Worrell (53.27), Olivia Smoliga (53.67) and Comerford combined to post a time of 3:33.35 to finish almost one second ahead of the Netherlands.

The Dutch squad of Maud Van Der Meer, Femke Heemskerk, Kim Busch and Ranomi Kromowidjojo qualified second in 3:34.26, and Australia’s Emily Seebohm, Madison Wilson, Brittany Elmslie and Shayna Jack qualified third in 3:35.18.

The U.S. and Aussie squads figure to add big pieces in the final: The likes of Simone Manuel and Katie Ledecky for the Americans, Bronte Campbell and Emma McKeon for Australia.

Sweden, buoyed by Sarah Sjostrom’s impressive 52.19 split, qualified third in 3:35.50, and Canada, swimming without 100 free Olympic champion Penny Oleksiak, was fifth in 3:35.85.

Also making the final were China3:37.02), Japan (3:37.46) and Denmark (3:38.29).

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Hear from the top-seeded American women:

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Thomas A. Small

8 years ago

Go USA Ladys