Clark Smith Clinches 800 Free Win Over Zane Grothe

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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NCAA champion Clark Smith had not quite proved himself in long course meters. He had three individual NCAA titles in his career, but had not won a long course national title. Smith picked up his first individual event for a major meet with a second place finish in the 400 earlier in the week. Smith picked up his first national title in the 800 on Saturday at the Phillips 66 USA Swimming National Championships with a 7:50.43 for the win. He got some pressure on the last 50 from Zane Grothe who won the 400 earlier in the week. Grothe closed well with a 7:50.97 and will most likely swim that race in Budapest.

1500 champ True Sweetser (7:55.29), Andrew Abruzzo (7:57.67), Grant Shoults (7:57.84), Robert Finke (7:59.31), Chris Wieser (8:00.40) and Chris Yeager (8:01.21) placed in the top eight. Smith and Grothe will have their hands full at the World Championships in three weeks with the Italian duo of Gabriele Detti and Gregorio Paltrinieri. The Italians are ranked at the top in the world rankings in this event.

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